Single Review: Bleached

Thinking Foxes are an Auckland-based alternative rock trio who are new to me, comprising Gabriel Parkins Craig (vocals, guitar), Luca Garcia Ferrari (bass), and Noah Page (drums). Bleached is their debut single and based on this I am somewhat surprised to have not seen them on the circuit, or even come across their name, as this is polished and full of confidence and never sounds as if it is their first release. Alternative rock of course includes a multiple of sins, but there are definitely some elements of Blur in here, plus a little bit of grunge, influences from the British indie scene of the Eighties, and then it is all wrapped up together with solid vocals, nice harmonies and some great pop hooks which means there is far more substance than one might expect.

There is also a very powerful use of contrast, and while much of this sounds like yet another summery number to play on the radio, just wait until we get to approximately 2:30 when in the background we get some nice patterns, some slid chords on the bass, and then some picked notes right at the top of the neck, and then 10 seconds later the bass heralds a change in approach and we get some rocking guitar before it all disappears as if it had never been there. For me it is those 20 seconds which really make this song for me, as without it there is the possibility this would have been just too twee, but that break totally changes the song, making the whole thing much more interesting and inviting me to play it again. I am sure I will be catching up with these guys in 2023 (I can imagine them going down well playing with The RVMES for example) and look forward to hearing more. Bright and light with strong dynamics, this is solid.