Painted Friends – Cain Complex (2024)
From their debut single ‘Stage (Invite The Neighbours)’ in 2020 to 2021’s full-length album Gomnia: Volume 1 (Insula and Hyber) and 2023’s ‘The Dust Is Rising’, US-based group Painted Friends are turning heads with their unique brand of music. Flipping aspects of indie-rock with tinges of alternative rock, a hint of Britpop and grunge layered in, Painted Friends certainly has a unique blend which should turn heads. This is our introduction to Painted Friends, but their music is receiving critical acclaim on an international scale; so, let’s get in on the awesomeness!
Following the well-received single ‘The Dust Is Rising’, Painted Friends opened 2024 with their latest song ‘Cain Complex’. Simply put, the tale of Cain and Abel is the epitome of sibling rivalry with the consequence being Cain slaying his younger brother Abel. Taking a closer look at the story, it goes beyond murder and focuses on the balance of morality and immorality; duty and desire; indulgence and innocence – all wrapped in the tale of Eve’s children. Theologians have explored this topic for ages and Painted Friends puts their hand into the mixing pot with ‘Cain Complex’.
Profound poetic lyricism illustrates the depth of the US band, but it is the inspiring melody that enhances both the concept and its significance. Wrapped in a kaleidoscopic ribbon, a strong indie-rock flair exists in ‘Cain Complex’; however, the rush of Americana brings a separate alternative edge to the single. Scorching guitars match crashing drums in a rush of fury enhancing the confusion of Cain. Yet, it is the raw, rough and gritty vocals that bring the full understanding of a Cain complex to the fore. Frontman Jeremy McWhorter explains:
“This song is the result of non-stop listening to Johnny Cash while simultaneously obsessing over the profoundness of the Cain and Abel story… It’s about how I find myself thinking and behaving like Cain more often than I want to admit. It could be jealousy of others’ success despite the hard work that I put in with no results, or even just putting in half-effort work and expecting more in return…”
Find out more about Painted Friends on their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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