Nightsway- It Could've Been Sweet (EP Review)

It Could've Been Sweet EP art cover

Emerging from Leeds’ iconic music scene, Nightsway are a four-man band walking the line between indie and alternative rock, though it’s their ability to blend multiple genres that gives them such a unique/ fresh sound. In the short time of being a band, they have played relentlessly, even selling out venues across the North - Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. From their headline slots to charity shows, they’ve made a name for themselves with energy, emotion, community and the strive to connect more ears. 

All of the five tracks on It Could've Been Sweet are like special pieces of a jigsaw, each one providing something different, contributing to the final picture. 

 There's a great mix of anthems and ballads over the EP, each song exploring different variations of the band's sound. This release showcases their ability to create authentic sounds, capitalising on elements from distinct eras without losing their identity and turning it into a throwback. Already known for hosting a killer live show, It Could've Been Sweet has the potential to blow the roof off. Featuring outstanding guitar riffs, quick tempos, and desirably catchy lyrics, Nightsway's latest tracks are a complete match, practically created for the stage. 

I couldn't imagine a better introduction to the band’s EP than its first and title track 'It Could’ve Been Sweet'. It is narrated by one side of a relationship. Rather than delivering the story from start to end, it is the beginning of a cyclical structure. This short tune is the kind of song that would fit perfectly on a film soundtrack during a vital moment where very little is said, yet everything seems to change. It has a sense of reflection, echoing, dreaminess to it- it carries a strong weight.  

'Unfortunate Kind' is upbeat and packed with sparks, layered with punchy guitars and crashing drums that immediately tempt you to whip out your invisible air guitar, jump into the air, and shout the lyrics like you're on stage. It swims through numerous genres, carrying a post-punk edge that is making its way into the spotlight. 

The repetition of the hook, “I feel ya”, will have you hooked — literally. It’s the type to be stuck in your head for days, but you don’t want to let it out. Just three simple words manage to say far more than they should, capturing the fragile magic of a new connection. The band’s frontman Rhys Hopkins, said, the song reflects 'how two souls might initially feel intertwined after a long period of feeling alone.'

'Catalina' feels like sitting in the passenger seat, windows down, foot tapping to the drum, on a warm, quiet spring evening whilst you’re replaying memories of that one person- melancholy, breezy, cinematic. A standout electric guitar riff backed with a rhythm that you’ll end up constantly replaying until it hits as hard as the first time you listened.

'Belong with You' feels the most intimate on the EP. It’s raw, reflective, and completely vulnerable. The production on this track is painfully beautiful- it really lets the emotion do the talking. The song explores two different sides of a relationship- the kind where one has so much love to give and the other feels unseen. It carries a strong ache because, despite the lack of appreciation, one feels they can't help but feel that attachment. 

From a listener’s perspective, it feels like someone is clinging to the hope that the other person will eventually fill an emotional gap — that they'll become the version of themselves you’ve been waiting for. But that’s exactly what makes the song so impactful: it captures how, as humans, we often think we understand a situation, when in reality, everyone sees it through their own lens. 

‘Lovers to Strangers’ is the final track on the EP — carrying both a sense of sadness and release, it’s a song surrounding acceptance. It opens with a slow-burning introduction, where the guitar feels raw and intimate, almost as if it's being played from the corner of your bedroom. When the vocals come in, they’re soft and pure, capturing the ‘desperation that comes with not wanting to let go of something you’ve poured so much of yourself into’. As the track unfolds, the energy gradually builds, mirroring the emotional shift — almost like a metaphor for all the feelings that have curated inside throughout the entire relationship. Just before the song ends, there’s a noticeable change, like closing one book to open another, no matter how much you loved the last chapter. 

It Could’ve Been Sweet proves the band’s ability to craft honest, emotionally charged music. In just five tracks, listeners are taken on a rollercoaster of feelings — enjoying both the story and the sound. Nightsway blends genres, moods, and influences, always shying away from sounding like just another mainstream indie band (not that there’s anything wrong with that). It’s undeniably catchy, bold, and deeply relatable — managing to feel vulnerable without losing its enjoyability. If you’re a fan of artists like Paul Weller, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Kooks, or Wunderhorse, Nightsway are absolutely one to watch. And if this is just the beginning of their journey, there’s no telling what’s ahead — but here’s what I do know: they’re not following any Alex Turner rulebook. They’ve got something real to say, and it will be heard! 

Review by Niamh-Robyn Fairhurst