After getting a bit experimental and artsy with his last single, Dublin’s own Sean MacLeod reminds us exactly why he cut his teeth in the 90s indie scene with the legendary Cisco. “Take Control (Don‘t Let ’Em)” is an explosion of everything we love about the genre.
This feels like it was cut live in the studio with the energy moved to max. MacLeod, a founding member of that critically acclaimed Cisco outfit (yeah, the ones who recorded with U2‘s Paul Barrett), wears his heart on his sleeve here. He’s back in his element, front and centre, with a track built on those shimmering guitar tones—and man, do they deliver.
The riff hits you right in the chest from the get-go, simple but devastatingly effective. It’s that classic indie jangle, but with an edge that keeps it from sounding like a museum piece. And that chorus is a “hooky” monster, exactly as promised. This is the kind of melody that gets lodged in your brain and refuses to pay rent. You’ll be shouting it back after one listen. The title says it all. It’s a war cry.
Serving as the opening track and the fourth single from his upcoming album That‘s When the Earth Becomes a Star, this cut sets the stage perfectly. It’s a statement of intent. After a decade-plus of crafting solo work (this is his fifth album, folks), MacLeod proves he hasn‘t lost a single step. He’s still the same guy who turned heads overseas with Cisco, but now he’s got the wisdom to strip it all back and just let the song breathe.
If you like your rock honest, loud, and packed with a killer chorus, do yourself a favour. Play this up and take control.