"'Figure 8' came from crying quietly so my roommate wouldn't hear." That's how frontman Barry 'Baz' Quinlan describes the origins of this new track. No elaborate metaphors here—just a confession you can practically picture: late at night, thin walls, emotions you're too afraid to let anyone hear.
Bleech 9:3 is an Irish band based in London. After dropping their self-titled five-track EP back in May, "Figure 8" arrives as the follow-up single, released August 19 via Polydor Records. The production comes courtesy of Dan Carey, who's worked with Fontaines D.C., Kae Tempest, and Wet Leg, while mixing duties went to Rich Costey, whose credits include Arctic Monkeys and Bruce Springsteen. That kind of production lineup speaks volumes about how much weight the label is putting behind this track.
On the track, Quinlan's brooding vocals wrestle against searing, jagged guitars, propelled by a tight, driving rhythm. The intimate lyrics paired with the expansive arrangement create a tension that's almost uncomfortable to sit with.
From Festival Stages to London's Electric Ballroom
The band spent this summer touring festivals across Europe, and next week they'll open for Wunderhorse in Belfast and Cork before hitting Reading & Leeds, Electric Picnic, and Iceland Airwaves. Come year's end, they'll launch their own UK/Ireland headline tour, with the London date landing at Electric Ballroom on December 1. The run continues through December 17 in Cork at Cyprus Avenue, stopping along the way in Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin.
Bleech 9:3 made this year's NME 100 list, described as bringing "grunge's past and present crashing together in an anxiety-fueled roar." Lewis Capaldi has also mentioned that he, Sam Fender, and Fontaines D.C.'s Grian Chatten have all been quietly recommending this band to each other behind the scenes.
