Review: Live by Design // Ivy Nations

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Radiohead, Foals and Depeche Mode, Dublin four-piece Ivy Nations have unleashed their brand of shoegaze-inspired indie rock with the launch of their latest single ‘Live By Design’. Only their third release, the band have worked with producer Phil Magee (Kodaline, The Script) and received international airplay as far away as Australia. Despite having already struck a winning formula, ‘Live By Design’ sees the quartet venture into gloomier territory, riding a dark wave of moody indie.

Ivy Nations are a tight outfit who create a big sound, complete with soaring riffs, controlled yet powerful vocals and seismic basslines that would give The Cure a run for their money. ‘Live By Design’ gradually picks up tempo just as the listener is getting comfortable, breaking into the towering chorus “to escape the thoughts of someone else”. The visual accompaniment to the track is an eerie, dystopian video courtesy of Blacktooth Films, in which one human attempts to break the “design” we live by.

Catch the lads live on their upcoming Irish dates this summer, including three hometown gigs as well as Barn Dance Festival in Wicklow, Sea Sessions in Donegal and Indiependence in Cork.

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