SINGLE REVIEW: Labyrinthine Oceans – Pinch

The persistence and drive alone of Labyrinthine Oceans deserves commendation before even beginning to discuss their music. The four-piece have already released two fantastic singles the year, accompanied by a seemingly never-ending tour schedule which soon takes them all the way to Brussels. This push to show the world the wonderful weirdness of Labyrinthine Oceans continues with yet another sparkling single, ‘Pinch’.

The band’s ethereal sound continues to blossom here, with their finely tuned blend of shoegaze, grunge, and ambient music now being pushed into a more driving, aggressive direction than ever before. Distorted, reverb soaked guitars thunder forwards before exploding into sprawling, cathartic choruses, all of it buoyed by surprisingly catchy rhythms that inject a furious energy into it all.

Vocalist Julia O’Neil provides an outstanding performance throughout, cutting through the ferocious noise with a vulnerable yet strident presence. Her sheer desperation for some sense of control and agency in her life translates across perfectly through her resonant tones, whilst her lyricism makes allusions to religion and self-harm in a cathartic yet powerfully uncomfortable exposé of the self.

With promises of a full EP in early 2025, and the of plenty more live shows across the country (and perhaps even further beyond), Labyrinthine Oceans continue to maintain their reputation as a band you need to know. There is a magic to their craft that makes even their strange, experimental sounds feel impossible to not enjoy; a familiarity in their obscurity that calls to something deep within you. Who knows where they will take you next?

For Fans Of: Nirvana, Hole, NewDad, October Drift

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify // TikTok