SINGLE REVIEW: Labyrinthine Oceans – untitled

’…a track that slithers between dark, ethereal gloom, and driving, raucous walls of noise…’

Every cult favourite has to build their cult following, and that is the point of Labyrinthine Oceans’ journey that we join them at, with their latest single ‘untitled’. The Newcastle based four-piece have been hard at work since forming back in 2021, and have been packing out local venues thanks to their slick and stylish form. ‘untitled’ capitalises on this even further, showcasing a band with a very clear vision for who they are.

A wild, enigmatic thrill of a track that slithers between dark, ethereal gloom, and driving, raucous walls of noise; just as you feel as though you have gotten to grips with it, the track shifts and slips through your fingers once more. Incredibly intelligently created, the band layer simple musical ideas atop one another in a way that feels wholly unconventional, crafting dense layers of amorphous, dreamy discomfort.

Reverb soaked guitars decorate a gently pulsing bass line, with the silky, bluesy vocals of Julia O’Neil layered over the top. The track then vaults into huge choruses that sweep in on crashing waves of distorted guitars and stomping percussion, O’Neil’s vocals evolving to showcase a bristling, raw rock grit. This is particularly the case in the track’s second chorus, when it explodes with some truly incendiary performances from the band.

Certainly, there’s enough here that will seem familiar enough to appeal to many; fans of indie rock, grunge, and shoegaze will find this to be a particularly enjoyable track. However, don’t mistake that as calling the track simple or redundant; the way in which Labyrinthine Oceans have gone about taking these musical influences, and reconstructed them into something that feels just ever so slightly alien, is exciting to behold.

Underground legends in the making.

For Fans Of: Hole, October Drift, Bikini Kill, Slowcrush, Slowdive

You can listen to Labyrinthine Oceans’ new single ‘untitled’ on streaming services on 03/04/24. You can presave the track on Spotify here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify // Twitter