Wisconsin rock act The Racing Pulses shares swaggering anthem “Subtle Hurts,” layering fuzzed-out basslines over sharp guitars and booming drums for a quiet yet ferocious musical experience.
Diving into the struggles and weight carried by a creative spirit, the introspective track breaks down the feelings of disillusionment and the fight to stay authentic amidst expectations. Crafted with the help of Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Juanes, Lizzo), the rhythm-laden track brims with both sincerity and bite, framed by lingering sonics underscored by an ambitious energy.
The track is elevated by striking visuals that reveal an abstract painting built with a flurry of sweeping brush strokes, vivid colors, figurative motifs courtesy of local artist Chase Bisson. Encapsulating an off-kilter atmosphere, the video rought to life in collaboration with Madison filmmaker Claudia Krogmeier is rooted in experimental visual storytelling, wrapped in signatures of metaphors and surrealism.
Balancing suave nonchalance with grounding dedication, the track showcases The Racing Pulses ability to channel narratives of creative struggles into an empowering anthem. Speaking of the track, singer-songwriter and frontman Kristian Petrov Iliev, “As both an artist and an intellectual, I know and feel a duty to fight evil, educate others, and draw attention to the answers I believe could be most beneficial,” he says. And that’s exactly what “Subtle Hurts” is—a bold confrontation of the cost of creation, and the courage it takes to keep playing anyway.”
Having carved out a space for themselves in Madison’s vibrant music scene since 2021, The Racing Pulses have continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their electrifying presence and emotive musicality.
A creative force to be reckoned with, this track is an enticing prelude to a pulsing connection spanning ’80s allure, Bulgarian heritage, restless angst, and pure rock bliss that awaits us from the genre-bending rock act.
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