Tooth Marks – Still Dreaming (2025)
UK-based alternative rock outfit Tooth Marks giving us a midwinter pick-me-up with a new single, ‘Still Dreaming’. Using all the weapons in their arsenal they crafted a genre-spanning offering with the track drawing on the best elements of 80’s pop and nu-metal with, dare I say, a sprinkling of emo in lead singer Dan Briscombe’s vocals.
Opening with some stylish vocals drawing on Briscombe’s powerful voice, setting the mood for the entire track with the line “Darling face it we’re defeated” and cementing this as an anti-love song perfect for all the broken hearts this Valentine’s Day. I love how it delves into the feeling of realisation when things are over no matter how much you try to not admit it.
Another triumph in the song is how the simplicity of four chords produces some great riffs. Guitarist Arunas Kaciulis commented, “On this one, I set myself a personal challenge of creating a cool song using only 4 chords. I think I cracked it.” I’d be inclined to agree with Kaciulis on this. Being able to craft something so good from four chords is the mark of a great musician.
Overall, this is just a fantastic piece of music that really shows what alt-rock can be when done well. I couldn’t help but draw similarities with early Depeche Mode coupled with bands I grew up listening to during the third wave of emo, such as Funeral for a Friend and Emery.
‘Still Dreaming’ has put Tooth Marks on my radar as one to watch this year. I’ve enjoyed tracking back across their collection of singles on Spotify. For now, I just hope that there is plenty more to come from them this year, including new music. Most of all I’ll be keeping my eye out for a tour and if they come close to my neck of the woods, I’ll be there because it’s clear that a talented group like this need to be seen live!
Find out more about Tooth Marks on their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
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