This new single from Norwich’s Cortez is a tasty sample of powerful guitar rock to which the band have added their own, distinct edge. Cortez have a knack for loading their songs with gut-level impact, a stiff shot of rage, melancholy or tenderness, and on this single they play said knack to the full. A-side 'Numbers' is a boding, driving number which is technically quite slow, but which is played with a force which gives it an illusion of speed. All melodic crunching and clean distortion, the nervous waiting and anticipation of the beginning builds and builds as the voice switches from measured calm to throaty screaming, before it all drops again.

B-side 'This is Nowhere' is impressive in a different way, a slow-building sweeping wave of sound laced with violins and melancholy. It’s just breathtaking; epic, graceful and packing an emotional punch of reluctant, choking hurt. Cortez have the ability to evoke emotion in the listener, to wrap each note in feeling and launch it at you. This impressive trick is played here in two contrasting and equally potent ways, in a manner which is all Cortez’s own and which makes them stand out of the crowd. Ones to watch? Methinks yes.