Posted by Aqualine have shared their new single, ‘Stupid Brain,’ marking a compelling return for the indie outfit. The five-piece have built a solid reputation with their punchy live shows, characterized by a blaze of energy and fresh ideas. With a sound that blends helter-skelter guitar pop with a raucous punk edge, the band continues to prove they are not afraid to shake up old tropes, finding new innovation in the process.
Reminiscent of PIXIES in places or even contemporaries such as Fontaines D.C., the group—who hail from Guildford and Brighton—seem to build with each passing single, moving outwards with real confidence. Out now, ‘Stupid Brain’ finds Aqualine members Patrick Keena and Ben Skwarski taking charge of production, resulting in a surging blast of indie rock. The crisp chorus highlights their melodic sensibilities, while the crunching studio trickery boosts the band’s technical prowess.
The band explains: “’Stupid Brain’ is an anthem of self-frustration, capturing the feeling of being caught in a cycle of repetitive mistakes, insecurity and feeling like you’ve been spat out into adulthood without feeling ready. It explores the absurdity of the way we talk to ourselves internally. The song’s blunt, child-like delivery reflects a playful tantrum against your own imperfections, while the sharp, stabbing chords channel the internal chaos.”
“Drawing inspiration from the likes of Fontaines D.C.’s ‘Romance’, PIXIES, Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Radiohead—its repetitive, dynamic chorus represents the ringing cycle of toxic thoughts following you around, before the song takes unexpected twists and turns and arrives at an uplifting outro, hinting towards acceptance, resolution and finding a touch of self-compassion.”
Photo Credit: Nicole Osrin // @nicoleosrin