Today, the Hull based shoegaze quartet bdrmm return with a new single titled “Standard Tuning”. The track follows the release of the band's widely lauded second album “I Don’t Know”, and the autumn single release of “Mud” on Mogwai’s Rock Action label.
"I Don't Know" arrived to critical acclaim with the likes of Consequence calling it “one of their most enticing successes yet” and Rolling Stone UK describing it as “a chaotic, thrilling evolution”. The lead single “It’s Just A Bit Of Blood” was also playlisted on BBC Radio 6 Music, and Brooklyn Vegan made the record their Album Of The Week saying that “I Don’t Know” saw them “not only avoid the sophomore slump but deliver a second album that is miles better their debut.”
Ahead of their forthcoming tour, the band have returned today with the digital release of a brand new track in “Standard Tuning”. The track forms part of a 10” release which will also feature a remix of the recent album's opener and live favourite, “Alps”. The remix has been reworked by English electronic musician and producer Nathan Fake and will be available everywhere digitally from 19th April. The limited 10” format will feature an etched B-side.
Recorded during their album studio sessions for “I Don’t Know”, frontman Ryan Smith says of the single:
“Standard Tuning is an important track in the ever-changing development of our creative process, as it was a collaboration between myself and Jordan. I created the loop using techniques such as stretching samples and chopping them, and Jordan added synthetics and drum processing and structured it into the track you hear now. Lyrically, the words followed the loss of an old childhood friend. Despite the fact of not speaking to somebody for years, you still feel an atmosphere of upset and loss. The passing affected the Hull community in such a way that it was impossible not to be affected by it. The song is about loss and a tribute to old friends.”
Selected press for “I Don’t Know”:
“a chaotic, thrilling evolution”
– Rolling Stone UK
“the excitement around bdrmm couldn’t be higher nor more warranted.”
– Consequence on “It’s Just A Bit Of Blood”
"The Hull rockers remain on red-hot form"
- NME
“melodies and arrangements that glide through a sea of synths and guitars with the grace of an art deco ocean liner.”
– Uncut
“tugs at the listener’s emotions in unanticipated ways.”
- MOJO
"It takes the strongest foundational elements of their debut and successfully builds a solid structure for bdrmm’s promising future."
- the Quietus
“These UK shoegazers not only avoid the sophomore slump, but deliver a second album that is miles better their debut”
- Brooklyn Vegan
“Once again ascending ethereal mountains, traversing through guitar-laden mists, and beyond dream-weaving deserts, bdrmm found themselves bolstered by the confidence gained from their debut album”
– So Young
“A thrilling return, ‘I Don’t Know’ finds bdrmm breaking down the walls around them to claim a space of pure freedom.”
- CLASH
“a formidable second album.”
- Dork
“bdrmm’s unstoppable ascent into the big league looks set to continue unabated.”
- Under The Radar
“on this album, the mould is utterly broken”
- Louder Than War
“They do not attempt to define themselves or nail their colours to the mast in terms of any style or genre, yet seem utterly confident in the direction they are heading.”
- The Line Of Best Fit
out on April 19, 2024
via Rock Action Records
out on November 10, 2023
via Rock Action Records
out on October 09, 2023
via Rock Action Records
out on June 30, 2023
via Rock Action Records
out on May 16, 2023
via Rock Action Records
out on April 06, 2023
via Rock Action Records