Image: Holly Whitaker
British band Squid have announced the release of their debut album Bright Green Field, commemorating the announcement with the release of their latest single, Narrator, which ricochets from funk strut to screeching chaos led and featuring the melodic touch of guest vocalist Martha Skye Murphy.
Speaking of the track, the band share that the song was inspired by the 2019 film A Long Day's Journey Into Night. "The song follows a man who is losing the distinction between memory, dream and reality and how you can often mould your memories of people to fit a narrative that benefits your ego. Martha Skye Murphy, the track's guest vocalist, made the point that the unreliable narrator is, more often than not, a male who wishes to portray women as submissive characters in their story. After some discussions with Martha she thought it’d be a good idea that she play the part of the woman wanting to break free from the dominating story the male has set.”
The release is accompanied by an official visual, marking the bands first ever music video. Directed by Felix Geen, the clip is a behind the scenes glimpse into virtual creation. exposing the artifice. Throughout the visual, a world is built around the band before dismantling itself and rebuilding once again, creating an ever evolving landscape. Director Geen says of the visual, “I had wanted to make a video about the virtual creation process for some time. For example, showing the components and processes behind virtual environment construction and looking closely at those small rocks, pieces of terrain and chunks of regolith that slot together to build something bigger. I often think this “behind the digital curtain” part of 3D design looks more interesting than the final finished product since it conveys a process and an authorship. When I was approached to pitch on Squid’s single Narrator i immediately thought it could be the perfect match for this very visual idea. After talking with the band it became clear we were on similar wavelengths creatively and aesthetically and the whole creative process flowed very smoothly from start to finish.”
Formed in Brighton, Squid is the brainchild of Louis Borlase (Guitars & Vocals), Ollie Judge (Drums & Lead Vocals), Arthur Leadbetter (Keyboards, Strings, Percussion), Laurie Nankivell (Bass & Brass) and Anton Pearson (Guitars & Vocals). Squid thrive on the vitality of each band member, with each member playing an instrumental role in the creation of the record whilst also working together as one. The record is set to be deeply considered, paced and intricately constructed, covering a variety of scope. The five-piece utilise field records throughout their tracks, including ringing church bells, tooting bees, microphones swinging from the ceiling orbiting a room of guitar amps and a distorted choir of 30 voices, with the inclusion of a horn and string ensemble.
Bright Green Field is out May 7! Watch the music video for Narrator below.