After an extended hiatus of almost two decades (!), The Race continue their welcome return with the release of ‘Family Tree’ ahead of the release of their four-track ‘Family’ EP on 23 October. Written at the request of vocalist Dan Buchanan’s son, the poignantly powerful song celebrates the bond between parent and child while also offering life advice around resilience and integrity.

Opening with a wall of anthemic guitar that brings to mind The War on Drugs or Wild Pink, Dan opens the song with touching words that will strike a chord with any parent: ‘I only want to see you smile, to live a life that feels worthwhile’; ‘I see the struggles and the things you’ve faced, made you strong in all kinds of ways’.

There’s also an (indirect?) nod to one of our son’s favourite books, ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’ by Dr. Seuss as Dan touches upon the tougher aspects of life – and how him and his family will always be there: ‘There’ll be times when you come undone, lose confidence, don’t know where to run. It’s in those times that faith gets real. Hold on, reach out, no matter how you feel’. This is followed by repeats, amidst swirling My Bloody Valentine-esque atmospherics that ‘You are enough to be here’.