More about: black midi

Ever-mysterious math rock outfit black midi have dropped another single that will accompany Crows Nest for a double A-side record. And, with this release, it’s easy to see why the London-based four-piece have been consistently dubbed the most exciting prospect in indie-rock.

‘Talking Heads’ is a sun-kissed, frantic number that will undoubtedly add even more to their revered live shows. Math rock twists are broken up by stop-start robotic vocals that crash into brief dance hooks. The schizophrenic guitars married with the pelt of Morgan Simpson’s drumming is a utopian trade-off that many bands struggle to capture, especially in a track that just eclipses the three-minute mark. It’s accessible experimentation done to a high degree, by a band that show no signs of slowing down on their forward-thinking trajectory. Each member works in tandem to an impeccable level, with black midi calculating when to hold back and when to pounce on their crowds with sonic punches of potent ferocity. Listen below:

With such an intensified, energetic approach the live-show has always been at the crux of black midi, and ‘Talking Heads’ easily hits the heights the band do in their performances. Read Gigwise’s review of Black Midi’s show at London’s bloc here. 

“Talking Heads is a calculated intensity, driven by frenzied percussion, bright, vivacious guitar, and fitful vocals,” said vocalist and guitarist Geordie Greep. “We've always tried to make it heavy but danceable, melodic but good rhythms. It is accessible music, there are experimental aspects that we've taken from when we went crazy at the beginning, we've just reigned it in to make something that is pop music.”

Black midi’s double A-side will be the band’s first release with Rough Trade Records and is due for release on 17 May.

We tipped black midi as one of our 29 for 2019. black midi play the following tour dates.

MAY

05 - Manchester, Sounds From The Other City 
09-11 - Brighton, The Great Escape - TICKETS 
25 - Totnes, Sea Change 
30 - Nimes, This Is Not A Love Song Festival 
31 - Dudingen, Bad Bonn Kilbi

JUNE
01 - Neustrelitz, Immergut Festival 
06 - Gothenburg, Garden Festival 
08-09 - Paris, Villette Sonique 
10 - Moers, Moers Festival 
15 - Bergen, Bergenfest 
18 - London, EartH - TICKETS
20 - Bristol, Fiddlers 
21 - Liverpool, Phase One 
22 - Glasgow, Mono 
23 - Nottingham, Contemporary Space

JULY
05 - Roskilde, Roskilde Festival 
05-07 - Moscow, Bolь Festival 
12 - Madrid, Mad Cool Festival 
14 - Nijmegen, Valkhof Festival 
18 - New York, Bowery Ballroom 
21 - Chicago, Pitchfork Music Festival 
22 - Minneapolis, 7th Street Entry 
23 - Madison, The Terrace at University of Wisconsin 
26 - Hyères, Midi Festival

AUGUST
02-04 - Katowice, Off Festival 
04 - Waterford, All Together Now Festival 
08 - Rees Haldern, Haldern Pop 
10 - Oslo, Øya Festival 
16 - Viana do Castelo, Paredes de Coura 
16-18 - Biddinghuizen, Lowlands Festival 
24 - Gueret, Check In Festival 
31 - Dorset, End Of The Road Festival

SEPTEMBER
19 - Paris, La Boule Noire

OCTOBER
07 - Berlin, Lido 
08 - Hamburg, Kampnagel 
09 - Cologne, Bumann & Sohn

More about: black midi