UK band The Hanging Bandits – a great name and a worthy level of intrigue for the inventive music that follows. Their single, Shipwrecks & Forgetful Skies, is a sensational lyrical and melodic outpouring.
On the surface, you’ll recognise this kind of acoustic alt-folk aura – a twist of unplugged gypsy-punk and a long-form, almost pirate-like knees-up festival vibe. Pretty quickly though, the band captivate for their sheer intelligence and storytelling as lyricists, and what’s more, this is never at the cost of a melody or musicality that completely immerse the listener.
An enthralling original song, with a brilliantly catchy, anthemic resolve for its hook, Shipwrecks & Forgetful Skies is faultlessly structured for impact, meandering from intensity and density of lyric, to softness and satisfaction intermittently.
We build and fall away, we build and fall away, and it’s impressive, and likely all the more alluring in the live setting. Luckily then, festival season is now fully in swing for the UK.
Check out the video below, turn the volume up loud, and appreciate a genuinely original, interesting and gripping take on alternative folk rock. The Hanging Bandits are a compelling and promising indie act, and their second full-length album releases this year.
Find The Hanging Bandits on Instagram, Bandcamp, Facebook, X.
