Norwich based noise-fuelled DIY-punk trio Other Half have dropped their latest single, "Pastoral Existence," giving us a tantalising preview of their upcoming third album, Dark Ageism, set for release on 21 June via Big Scary Monsters.
"Pastoral Existence" is a gnarled post-punk fantasy, driven by guitarist Cal’s lurid squalls of feedback and a mechanical rhythm section from Alfie and Soapy. The track explores violent, Droog-esque dreams of disturbing the peace in the countryside, a departure from their usual city-based narratives.
Talking about the track vocalist Cal said:
“All our songs are set in cities, and really I just wanted to fuck with the mould a bit. This is our Inbetweeners Movie, but ya know, really horrible. I’ve always been stuck between the push and pull of wanting both a quieter and more chaotic life. Pastoral Existence is what having your cake and eating it looks like; a weird druggy daydream about upending and moving to the countryside whilst doubling down on all the nasty shit that usually populates an Other Half song.”
"Pastoral Existence" draws inspiration from bands like The Jesus Lizard, The Fall, and Shellac, blending their influences into a hulking, grinding slab of noise rock that remains uniquely Other Half. The song captures the band's signature chaotic energy, with Cal's sneering vocals and Soapy's raging screams creating an inescapable tension.
Dark Ageism is the culmination of a three-part saga that started with 2020’s Big Twenty (Venn Records) and 2022’s Soft Action (Big Scary Monsters). It narrates the journey of characters negotiating life in their 30s, still clinging to the behaviors of their youth. The album, recorded by Owen Turner at Sickroom Studio and mixed and mastered by Tom Hill at the Bookhouse, explores the anxiety of being defined by a punk identity well into adulthood.
The album features a mix of adrenaline-fueled hooks, spindly melodies, and knotty instrumentation, maintaining the band's signature sound while incorporating more expansive moments. Guest vocals from Matthew Caws (Nada Surf/Minor Alps) and Alexei Berrow (Johnny Foreigner) add depth to the characters and themes explored across the record.
Dark Ageism is not just about the music but also about the narrative it follows, exploring the band's personal dark ages and the cosmic debt they've accumulated over years of living on the edge. The record ebbs and flows with gloom and drudgery, yet it also conjures a sense of connection, celebrating the resilience and shared experiences that define the band's journey.
Steeped in a blend of noise rock influences, Dark Ageism is a record that ebbs and flows in gloom and drudgery while conjuring a sense of connection—a celebration of resilience and shared experience.
Save the date for Dark Ageism, and watch the visualiser for “Pastoral Existence”:
Upcoming live dates
12/07 - 2000 Trees Festival
13/07 - Leeds, Key Club*
14/07 - Glasgow, Hug & Pint*
15/07 - Manchester, YES*
16/07 - Nottingham, Bodega*
17/07 - London, New Cross Inn*
18/07 - Southampton, Joiners*
19/07 - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach*
20/07 - Birmingham, Hare & Hounds*
21/07 - Norwich, Voodoo Daddys*
*supporting Single Mothers
