Brighton post-punk band Squid has shared the second single, “The Blades”, from their upcoming sophomore album O Monolith. Melodic guitars nimbly navigate through funky basslines whilst drums beat to uncommon time signatures on this experimental and energetic new single. Listen below:
Lead singer and drummer of the group Ollie Judge said of the track’s meaning in a press release, “On the surface it’s a song about police brutality with the last section kind of inspired by The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe, although I’ve never read the book, I’ve just seen The Simpsons’ spoof of it”.
He went on to say, “Narratively it follows a police helicopter pilot’s day, ending with him in bed hearing another pilot circling the skies as if he were taunting him. There’s a deeper meaning in there somewhere of my fear of ego, but I’m still working out which bit of the song that’s coming from.”
The single premiered on the 25th May alongside a music video starring English actress Charlotte Ritchie known for her roles in Fresh Meat, Dead Pixels, and You. Enduring mind-numbing boredom, Ritchie’s character arbitrarily awaits an entirety for an appointment in a drab grey waiting room and dreams of the lush British countryside. The video was directed by Norwegian director Kasper Häggstrøm who has previously worked with Radiohead and Kelly Lee Owens.
Squid announced their second LP would be released in the summer back in February writing on their Instagram, “Pleased to announce our second album O Monolith out 9th June. We worked really hard on this record. We recorded it in Wiltshire among lots of green space just as spring was setting in.” They continued, “It’s an album about fears, whatever may or may not be beyond the skies, death, rats and bedside cabinets. Thanks for your patience and we hope you enjoy it.” Pre-order the album here.
The band will head out on an Autumn UK and Europe tour later this year in support of their new album playing eight gigs around the UK. To celebrate the release of O Monolith, Squid will be performing and signing records in stores and at a few outdoor shows in the UK this June. Fans can also catch Squid at various festivals this summer including Rock Werchter, Standon Calling, Greenman, and RALLY. For tickets and more information see here.
Squid is comprised of lead singer and drummer Ollie Judge, guitarists Louis Borlase and Anton Pearson, bassist Laurie Nankivel, and keyboardist Arthur Leadbetter, and are currently based in Bristol. Their debut album Bright Green Field caused quite the buzz with its release 2021 receiving 5-star reviews from NME, Gigwise, and The Line of Best Fit.
See below for all Squid’s upcoming Europe and UK dates:
11/06/23 – Rough Trade – Bristol
14/06 – Brudnell Social Club – Leeds
15/06 – Rough Trade East – London
16/06 – Beyond the Pale Festival – Wicklow
29/06 – Rock Werchter – Rotselaar
20/07 – Standon Calling – Standon
05/08 – RALLY – London
17/08 – Green Man – Brecon Beacons
24/08 – Nox Orea – Vevey
05/09 – Kantine – Cologne
06/09 – Rockhal – Esch-sur-Alzette
07/09 – Ancienne Belgique – Brussels
08/09 – Tivoli Ronda – Utrecht
09/09 – Knust – Hamburg
11/09 – VoxHall – Århus
12/09 – VEGA – Copenhagen
13/09 – Festsaal Kreuzberg – Berlin
15/09 – UT Connewitz – Leipzig
16/09 – Mascotte – Zurich
19/09 – Santeria – Milan
21/09 – Apolo 2 –Barcelona
22/09 – Ram – Valencia
23/09 – Copérnico – Madrid
24/09 – Rock School Barbey –Bordeaux
25/09 – Élysée Montmartre – Paris
27/09 – 106 – Rouen
13/10 – SWX – Bristol
14/10 – SWX – Bristol
16/10 – Town Hall – Birmingham
17/10 – O2 Academy – Leeds
18/10 – New Century – Manchester
21/10 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
22/10 – Boiler Shop – Newcastle
01/11 – Troxy – London
