There’s no feeling like discovering a song that you know, even just by listening to the first minute or so, will be playing in your ears over and over again because it’s just that good. Well, I have Black Lounge to thank for that feeling today when I discovered their debut single ‘Bickering,’ an alt-rock banger that celebrates addictive riffs, suave vocals, and a tongue-in-cheek energy that leaves you wanting more.
Rooted in Essex, Black Lounge comprises the compelling talents of frontman George Grant, guitarist Charlie Betts, drummer Nick Everrett, and bassist Callum Saunders. Together, these lads have everything you need to take the alt-rock by storm, including adrenaline-drunk rhythm, acrobatic lyricism, and an audible rockstar confidence in their music. All of these elements serve as the rocket fuel for ‘Bickering,’ and that’s why I can’t wait to share it with you! Let’s get into it!
Bickering
Oh, this track’s intro…it’s so ensnaring. You’ve got that velvety twang of the bass that immediately peppers the track’s rhythm with a charismatic flair, and right by its side, you’ve got the vocals, which exude this Måneskin-esque, debonair confidence. Together, the bass and the vocal delivery have this heartbreaker charm that nimbly coils around the song’s lyrics.
Before too long, you’re impelled towards a quickfire burst through which the harmony between the prickly drumbeats and the cascading, venom-spitting guitar work takes centre stage. I love that this compelling little snippet makes a brief appearance before fully twining with the vocals—if there is any melody that truly can be called a sonic lure, it’s this one.
But what exactly are we getting lured into? Well, some refreshingly intriguing lyrics for one thing. The instrumentals seamlessly meld into this live-wire storm, imbuing lines like ‘We never knew / The aggravation that waits when she gives and takes / But she eagerly states her views’ with a flammable energy. Even the lyrics themselves have this sharp-tongue edge to them, and you feel like the woman in this narrative is an aggressive force to be reckoned with. That aggression that permeates across the lyrics adds that extra kick of spice to the overall composition, and it does a spectacular job of tying every element together.
As the song continues, you get this sweet instrumental break in which the snappy drumbeats ride atop the crooning bass, and all the while, you can hear the buzz of the electric guitar growing louder and louder until the vocals gracefully swing back into the spotlight. This segment of the song is a testament to Black Lounge’s ability to control their melody, giving you a bit of a breather from the intensity of the last verse without compromising its momentum.
From this point on, the track surges toward its close with the same raw suavity and vigour that caught your ear in the first place, ending with a guitar-driven instrumental solo that makes sure you walk away from ‘Bickering’ with the prominent vestiges of the flame-soaked battle between passion and aggression that you’ve just fallen in love with.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/blackloungeband/
ALT: Altnerative rock four-piece Black lounge sit on a stage and look up into the camera with their arms around one another.
Black Lounge
I’d say that the stratosphere-bound success of Black Lounge is surprising given that the four-piece was only formed in early 2024, but truth be told, I’d be lying. When you hear a band that has already carved out such an infectious style for themselves, you expect the world to stop and notice.
Even just with ‘Bickering’ alone, Black Lounge has made such a splash that the subsequent ripples can be found in the house genre of all places. That’s right, the amazingly popular DJ Max Dean was so hooked on Black Lounge’s debut single that he simply had to remix it. Across Max Dean’s TikTok videos, this remix has garnered over a total of 5K likes so far, and you can see just how much the crowds love this crossover! Plus, since ‘Bickering’ has over 57K streams on Spotify, I think it’s more than fair to say that the boys know how to turn curious listeners into repeat-button-mashing fans.
Determined to build upon the success of their debut single, Black Lounge has worked tirelessly to grace us with three new bops, including their latest release ‘Smile,’ which shows us another more romantically-stripped, dreamy side of their style. Not only are they providing us with more amazing singles, but the group is also blowing us away with killer live performances.
Despite having just performed at the Lions Den in Manchester and the Royal Park Cellars in Leeds, Black Lounge is not letting go of their electric momentum. Booked to make an appearance at Lewes Music Festival 2025 and The Camden Assembly Pub, the boys aren’t waiting for their dreams to land at their feet; they’re leaping towards them at full speed, so make sure to get your tickets!
‘Bickering’ is available to listen to across all major streaming platforms! While you’re jamming to ‘Bickering,’ make sure to also give some love to Black Lounge’s other songs!
Till next time!
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