Preston-based indie outfit Defined By are fast becoming the new sound of the northern working classes. Born from the solo vision of Lee Egerton and now fully fleshed out into a four-piece, the band has carved its place with melodic storytelling. With earlier standouts like God’s No Help and Monopoly, where they went behind hard realities while soaring with hooks, now they have released “Blue Tonic” on August 1st, 2025, taking a surprising turn toward indie-pop, with breezy tones and emotional heft. Written after a night of cocktail-fueled inspiration and finalized at Beaston Studios, the track gets innovative.
The song kicks off with shimmering guitar riffs, as they sparkle like neon lights on wet cobblestones, and the drums crash in with a steady pulse. It’s instantly vivid, like sound bottled in a tall glass. Then the smooth, rich vocals arrive, awed by her beauty. Calling her “picturesque,” it reminds us of that moment we are caught off-guard by a stunning being and whisper our surprise to ourselves. He does his best and compliments her while knowing she’s not his to keep. He sings relaxingly and meditatively, as if he has accepted the reality.
As the verses roll on, we see the tension in the music, conveying the bittersweet humility. He’s caught in that liminal space between desire and resignation. And when he admits, “I know she’s out of my league, it’s just a matter of time she will pull her trigger on me,” the line stings softly with the inevitability of matters.
“Blue Tonic” by Defined By is refreshing and intoxicating as an indie-pop anthem. Check it out on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan