London-based lo-fi rock duo stepbrothers pairs disarming lyricism with euphoric sounds on their recent single “Bones + Gristle,” offering a peek at their forthcoming debut album In Love With Everyone.
Blending distorted, fuzzy guitars and hard-hitting drums with shimmering synths lines, the track swayed between melodic lilts and chaotic energy with ease setting up an expansive, narrative-driven soundscape. Pushing the edges of lo-fi rock the track feels laid-back and soaring all at once as the hypnotic songwriting sketches out a dystopian future shaped by inequality in excess. Grotesque and foreboding but laden with a towering anthemic touch, the track plays with contradiction as sombre verses give way to upbeat musical undertones to make for an eerie but uplifting listening experience.
Speaking of the track, the duo says, “The initial idea came from my cycle home from work. I pass this huge field with trees and grass that’s surrounded by a bunch of tall buildings and cranes. It got me thinking about a dystopian landscape where there's just tall buildings everywhere, and swamps of pollution start to develop in the earth, so everyone starts to live as high up as they can – the rich be the highest out of everyone.”
Capturing their DIY rock signature, “Bones + Gristle” marks the first push towards a fresh new chapter for the duo who have carved out a space for themselves with restless energy and raw emotional directness as they lead us towards their upcoming album.
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