Feral Family – Smother (2023)
Bands often don’t really have a concept when they pick their name. The name might sound good, but it doesn’t necessarily have much of a connection with the music they make. Yet, Feral Family from Bridlington on the East Coast of Yorkshire seemed to have thought out well how their name will fit with their music. At least that is the effect you get when you listen to their single ‘Smother’, from their debut EP Playtest.
It is all in their ringing guitar sound and dual vocals, and no less the song’s lyrics – a sound that ranges anywhere from the prime 80s bands like Echo & the Bunnymen and Sisters of Mercy to more current post-punk faves like Fontaines D.C. or Idles. At the same time, the band has started to mould a sound of their own, something already shown in their previous two singles, ‘Wee Van Bee’ and ‘Fractured’ which have charted at #3 and #1 respectively on iTunes Rock Chart, and gained airplay on Amazing Radio, Total Rock and more. Also, the previous single ‘Spice King’ was featured on The Independent’s ‘Now Hear This’ playlist.
Those who have seen the band play live note that they have actually been able to transfer their live sound into the studio, which by the sound of ‘Smother’ is quite a remarkable achievement. Talking about the song itself, the band note: ‘Smother’ is about thinking about the decisions you’ve made in life… whether or not you have taken the right paths – be it lovers, addictions, friendships, etc. It’s like an internal monologue that focuses heavily on the negative sides of those experiences: would we have been better off without that person? Or not doing or saying certain things? What are the repercussions that haunt us? ‘Smother’ is about the overthinking we hide from others, a homage to our own mistakes and insecurities.”
For more from Feral Family, check out their Facebook and Spotify.
