THE FRONT ROW

There’s something about Manchester bands that always feels a bit like a warm pint in a familiar pub: instantly recognisable, comforting, and shot through with a touch of swagger. Mayflower’s latest single, Are You With Me, fits squarely into that lineage, leaning hard into late-90s Britpop nostalgia while brushing against the mid-00s new wave indie shimmer. It’s a track that won’t ruffle too many feathers, but you get the sense this band has more ambition simmering beneath the surface.

After an nine-year hiatus that saw them step away just as momentum was gathering, Mayflower returned last year with “My Girl” and “Only You,” reminding listeners of their knack for warm melodies and introspective lyrics. Eden followed earlier this year, setting the tone for this current era,and now Are You With Me picks up the baton with a clean, hook-driven approach.

Musically, the song is built around a bright, jangling guitar line that wouldn’t sound out of place on an old Bluetones or Cast record. The chord progression has that melancholic optimism so many Manchester bands have mined over the decades, familiar but satisfying. Vocally, there’s an intimacy in the delivery that softens the edges of the track’s more anthemic ambitions. The chorus, all yearning and open-hearted repetition, feels tailor-made for small venue singalongs.

Lyrically, Are You With Me doesn’t stray far from familiar territory, longing, regret, the delicate push and pull between wanting connection and fearing disappointment. It’s not breaking new ground, but there’s sincerity in the way the lines are delivered that elevates it beyond just another nostalgic indie moment.

Production-wise, the track is crisp and clean. While the guitar textures have a pleasing haziness, the overall mix feels safe, like a band trying to remind people they exist rather than pushing the envelope. This caution isn’t necessarily a flaw, there’s no denying how well-crafted Are You With Me is, but it leaves you curious what Mayflower could do if they allowed themselves to get a bit rougher and more urgent.

That’s the paradox of this single: in its best moments, you can hear the flashes of something bigger, those swirling lead lines, the sudden lift in the pre-chorus, but it never quite fully lets go. The result is a track that sounds accomplished and professional but doesn’t completely shake off the sense of being a warm-up for something more daring.

Still, it’s impossible not to root for Mayflower. Nine years away from the spotlight is a long time in the indie landscape, and the fact they’ve returned with an EP on the horizon, renewed energy, and a string of support slots at the O2 Ritz says plenty about their resilience. They’re clearly a band who know who they are, and Are You With Me is proof that they can still write a tune that lingers in your head long after the final chorus fades out.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the late-90s Manchester scene or just fancy a reliably solid indie fix, this track delivers. It may be safe, but sometimes safe is exactly what you need. You get the sense that Mayflower have stored up a lot over their years away, and the real excitement will come when they decide to take more risks. For now, Are You With Me is a gently defiant reminder that they’re not done yet.

FFO: The Bluetones, The Charlatans, early Embrace.