Beginning with a jaunty bassline which is soon joined by sparkly synths and some staccato guitar playing, the new tune from Two-Man Giant Squid “3 Hits” starts innocuously enough, but in time, it evolves into a bit of a banger.
Part The Cure, part The Killers, part LCD Soundsystem, it’s a bit punky, a bit indie, a bit new wave and very interesting. It’s not uncommon for us to encounter music that feels like it borrows bits from various places – in fact, it’s pretty normal – but the way in which Two-Man Giant Squid has fused the elements here is anything but.
Yes, the Robert Smith comparisons of vocalist and frontman Mitch Vinoku are pretty obvious, and the spoken word bit is very James Murphy. But past that, this feels like a very unique blend. Lyrically, it tells the story of a jaded band burnt out from trying to get ahead, and is based on a true story about being asked to open for Wheatus (yes, that Wheatus!) on a boat, and being subsequently pestered by their agent to deliver “3 hits”. (Pfft, in this economy?)
The Brooklyn five-piece have managed to take this preposterous request with a huge pinch of salt, add a dollop a wry, tongue-in-cheek humour and turned it into a tasty tune. (Side note: What is going on in Brooklyn? The creative output over there is incomprehensible. There must be something in the water!)
Rather shockingly, they appear to be playing in the UK soon – at Southampton’s 100 capacity venue Heartbreakers in May in support of Dead! Dead! Dead! – and we imagine that will be well worth attending if you can. For now, take a listen to “3 Hits” below.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
