Brighton-based quartet Winter Gardens return with their captivating new single, ‘Search Party’, the second release from their anticipated forthcoming EP Uncomfortable/Unlovable.
Inspired by the 2016 dark comedy series of the same name, the track delves into the lingering effects of trauma on personal growth. Through the lens of a troubled antagonist, it explores the inner conflict between repeating destructive patterns shaped by past pain or breaking free from them. The narrative takes a haunting turn as the character becomes obsessively fixated on a kidnapped victim, their misguided affection escalating into a tense and dangerous power struggle.
Musically, ‘Search Party’ builds on Winter Gardens’ beguiling sonic approach found on previous single ‘U/U’. Bringing the hazey atmospherics of shoegaze with an added flair of industrial-rock thanks to swirling synth and punching, harsh drums, the track is at once driving and immersive. Produced by Luke Marsden alongside the band and mastered by Andy Miles at Star Delta, the track is full of layered instrumentation, bringing subtle piano and synth glitches throughout but leaves space for the celestial vocals of Ananda Howard and Jasmine Ardley to float ethereally above the soundscape.
The band’s innovative spirit and experimental approach even extended to problem-solving in the studio, as they revealed: “During the track’s production, we struggled with the bass tone. In the end, our producer used a soldering iron on a banana skin to both fix the bass guitar and achieve the desired sound.”
Since their inception, Winter Gardens have supported iconic acts such as Echo & The Bunnymen, Gary Numan, and Piroshka, while gracing stages at major festivals like Rockaway Beach, The Great Escape, and Supersonic. ‘Search Party’, out today, offers a tantalising glimpse into their upcoming EP, Uncomfortable/Unlovable, set for release on March 20th.
Listen below:
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