Emperor the Stag - Swan

Despite sharing a name with the 9ft tall beast of Exmoor whose sizeable nut ended up as a trophy on the wall of a Devon hotel, Eastbourne four-piece Emperor the Stag are alive and well and earning their reputation as one to watch in 2012.

Released on Stop Thinking Records, new single Swan is a guitar-led belter - reminiscent of the likes of Elbow or Doves - with frontman Nick Webb displaying a knack for delivering lines that stick: “I broke my neck for you swan, I tried to let the distance make our hearts grow fond.” 

The result is a confident follow up to last year’s Deceitful Doe EP which sees Emperor the Stag progress their sound, without sacrificing their own style.

It’s a band worth checking out, so drag yourself to itunes and pick up a digital copy.

Words by Andy James.