In spring 2020 Jekyll were all set to head to Texas for SXSW after releasing their second EP "The Whispering Gallery". We all know what happened next and for these rock kids from Blackpool, like so many others, it was a huge disappointment.
Joel Foster (vocals/guitar), Lewis Armistead (bass), Liam Singleton (drums) and Mike Spence (guitar) filled a small lockdown hole by covering Japan’s ‘Nightporter’ for Fierce Panda’s Covid Version Sessions. With a glimmer of light at the end of this long tunnel, Jekyll have now released their first new track of 2021. 'Tear Ourselves In Two', is the first song to be taken from their forthcoming debut album due later in 2021.
Frontman Joel explains the influence behind the track stating that the sentiment of the song “became more about being grateful for having someone with you to help you find your way out of the nightmare and not letting life’s darker moments get between you both. The recording for this song was done during the brief lifting of pandemic restrictions last summer and we’ve been dying to release it ever since. This is our first release since the pandemic started, so it also felt very appropriate to be releasing a song about unity and resilience in the face of adversity."
'Tear Ourselves in Two’ was initially conceived to counter-balance one of Jekyll’s earlier tracks ‘Mania’ – as a calm after the storm. But it grew into its own skin with the pandemic as a backdrop. It’s a swirling, anthemic song, with a beautiful stirring chorus. It captures the intensity of this time, but with a smoothness and richness. ‘Tear Ourselves in Two’ gently builds into a crescendo with soaring vocals and beautiful accompanying guitars and drums to create a ballad that will stir your emotions.
They've definitely grown up in lockdown: big of strums and bold of drums, 'Tear Ourselves In Two' takes Jekyll's pre-covid alt rock template of fragrant vocals laid over a bed of gently bendy shoegaze-tinged sonics and throws a casually radio-friendly chorus into the booming mix.
As a footnote, if you are of a certain vintage, please listen to Jekyll’s cover of Japan’s ‘Nightporter’. Not the easiest of songs to cover but Joel Foster and the rest of the band produce a version David Sylvian would surely applaud.
Live Dates:
October 4th London Victoria Dalston (Fierce Panda & Radio Fandango presents...Pandemicamonium (+ Polarized Eyes)
November 26th Blackpool Booleg Social (w/ Ist Ist)
