The Republic of Wolves have been at this since 2009, when AbsolutePunk named their debut EP His Old Branches one of the best releases of the year. They’ve carried that reputation through sharp, restrained songwriting and dark, deliberate vocals ever since, earning them spots alongside Good Old War, Robbers, and a run on the 2015 Warped Tour.
The band’s new single “In Margins” opens with bouncy, gritty guitars and hypnotic groove that feels live, with bass and drums locking in underneath. The vocals are silky and dreamy, soaked in reverb and delay, with smooth backup vocals filling in behind them. There’s a real looseness to the drums that adds a classical feel, even as it stays tight in quality. The vocals know when to step back too, leaving plenty of room for that groove to carry itself.
“Was it a mistake when you pulled the thread, better repent when they paint you red” cuts through with the kind of lyrical bite for which the band’s known: Sharp and a little unsettling against all that warmth.
The song moves well between intensity and calm, building up before easing back down, and the overall feeling lands somewhere between nostalgic and uplifting at once. “In Margins” is dreamy, intimate, and easy to get lost in. Fifteen years in, The Republic of Wolves still sound like they’re circling something worth chasing.
Take a listen to “In Margins” below.
Written by Toyo Senpai
