Naked Lungs

‘’Doom-ridden noise punk that sounds like Trent Reznor’s been on the Guinness’’ NME (NME 100)
“That’s spicy” – Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop)
"Distorted madness" – Jack Saunders (BBC Radio 1)
“[a] filthy thing” – Steve Lamacq (BBC Radio 6 Music)
“Ireland’s next noise rock heroes” – Hot Press

--

Today, enigmatic Irish four-piece noise-punk band Naked Lungs share their new single “Relentless”. The track follows the announcement of their highly anticipated debut album, “Doomscroll”, and their recent critically acclaimed single “Pressure”, which earned plaudits from the likes of NME, BBC Radio 6 Music, and more. Recorded and mixed once again by Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox at Sonic Studios in Dublin, the new album is out 18^th August.

In addition to the new single, Naked Lungs have also announced details for their first headline UK tour finishing at The Shacklewell Arms in London. Dates are below and tickets are on sale now.

The album and tour dates come on the heels of a triumphant 2022, which saw the band release several singles and a self-titled EP that garnered international acclaim and plays on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as support from Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop. They followed up with a year of high profile gigs, including two sold-out Therapy? supports, a successful headline UK tour, several sold-out Dublin headline shows and a festival run which saw them play a packed-out morning showcase at The Great Escape, as well as performing at the likes of Otherside Festival, Mutations Festival, and more.

The band’s recent single “Pressure” was a grinding and explosive introduction to their new album “Doomscroll”, and with “Relentless” they show no signs of abating. Minimal, effected guitars wind up the tension to the point of breaking before rupturing into groove-inflected, caustic noise. An industrial rhythm section drives the track forward whilst fevered vocals from frontman Tom twist and flex around the loud/quiet dynamics of the track as he jumps between gently speaking and unbridled screaming.

Speaking about the track, the band say: “Relentless is us incorporating aspects from horror film soundtracks into a noise rock track - especially the steady build up leading to a sharp release of tension - almost like a jumpscare.

Nasty noise, dirty drums and some above the pickup-fretting-fuckery helps it all come in a not so nice package.”

Mortell, who directed the music video says: “The video explores the themes of grief and regret told through a narrative of a grieving son mourning his mother, being involved in an accident with a cyclist while driving on the Wicklow backroads. This manifests into a chase into the woods that finds him facing his literal demons. It's bad craic in the woods - what's more Irish than that?”

Over the course of 10 tracks, “Doomscroll” replicates the flow and scroll one might experience as they doomscroll through batches of negative news, each song acting almost as another article. The ebb and flow of emotions around this concept can be seen across the widely varying dynamics of the record, encapsulating these negative feelings and counteract them with moments of levity.

The album still contains the same caustic power that the band have been lauded for, but elsewhere on tracks such as “The Garden” they lean into more melodic and measured territory with sung vocals and post-rock leaning, atmospheric instrumentation. Similarly, on “Boo Boo” the band almost dip into new wave territory with melodic vocals that constrict around droning effected guitars and crashing drums. These tracks are just a taste of where the band’s real talent lies on this record - in their ability to control and toy with both restraint and unbridled power. Tracks such as “Outcome” exemplify this further with moments of uneasy tension, which ignite in a carpet-bomb of noise, distortion, and angst.

Having already been named as one of NME’s 100 for 2023, Naked Lung’s debut album stands as a pulverising display of a band that are able to deliver on all of the hype that has been building around them, whilst continuing to defy pigeonholing. Stop scrolling, put down the phone, and pay attention.