Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Small Black Arrows – Trojan Horse (2024)

Dipping into the dark, gritty, grungy parts of society to draw out insightful layers of reality with kaleidoscopic shimmers, Small Black Arrows is not only the voice of a new generation but a voice of people spanning several generations. Urgent melodic joyrides with electric energy sparking across a neon-laced tune meld with underlying dark profoundness, all bound by Small Black Arrows experimental music. Eclectic and slightly eccentric, vocalist Luke Bailey and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Hanley compose songs to speak to the heart while messing about with your brain. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Trojan Horse’.

While ‘Trojan Horse’ is a single, the Trojan horse concept is evident in Small Black Arrows as a band. Following the well-received track ‘The British Museum’, Bailey and Hanley continue the juxtaposition of funky grooves with complex themes in ‘Trojan Horse’.  Luke Bailey explains:

“On the surface, ‘Trojan Horse’ is a fun and funky driving number with rock and electropop overtones. Lyrically it charts those turbulent throes of new love, although we explore it through the lens of one man’s fragile ego. He’s emotionally generous to begin with, but small indiscretions feel like betrayals to him. The narrative then examines how he intellectualises these perceived attacks and his attempts to rebalance equilibrium…”

Less all over the place than ‘The British Museum’, the new track catches contemporary RnB with alternative rock overtones in the melody. Steady, soothing and clear, you are led through a kaleidoscopic tunnel of electronic beats, guitar and pulsating drums. Interestingly, while ‘Trojan Horse’ offers a mellifluous melody, a haunting heart-stopping breath-taking flush sends chills down your skin. Fortunately, Bailey’s rich vocals hold you close while navigating a way through the darkness.

Sincere, sentimental and introspective, ‘Trojan Horse’ brims with self-discovery and a bright light at the end of the tunnel.


In addition to the single, Small Black Arrows released an official music video for ‘Trojan Horse’. The video can be viewed below or on their YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.


THIS VIDEO USES LIGHTING EFFECTS THAT CAN TRIGGER SEIZURES IN PEOPLE WITH PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Find out more about Small Black Arrows on their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator


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