Scatterchild are a Manchester band known for hooks that lodge in your head and songs that twist away from where you expect them to go, a style their fans have fondly nicknamed sad yelling. In June they released “NEW OCEAN,” a huge, dramatic single launched with a live show full of projected paintings, ocean footage, and psychedelic graphics. They went on to sell out HOME in Manchester and then fill Band On The Wall, where they first played “FRUSTRATOR” live.
The band write, perform, and produce everything themselves. On this single, Jay Plent handles vocals, guitars, and keys, Izzy Williamson plays organ, and Antony Grieg is on drums. It was recorded at Voltalab Sound Studios, mastered by Pete Maher, and released through Bread Records.
FRUSTRATOR
This is the heaviest thing Scatterchild have put out since “Parallel Lines,” a song so physical it left their drummer with a sprained wrist in the studio. Nobody got hurt this time, at least not physically. “FRUSTRATOR” hits hard from the very first second, with thick, crushing synths pressing in on all sides, drums that pound away without letting up, and Plent tearing into the vocal with everything he has.
The anger has a target. Plent wrote the song about someone who pulled him close and then used that closeness to hurt him, but the sharper sting is aimed inward. He let it happen, then beat himself up about it afterward, which meant paying for the same wound twice. That mix of fury and self-blame is what gives the song its bite.
It has quickly become a highlight of their live sets, was lined up to lead their October 28 headline show at The Rat & Pigeon in Manchester, and offers an early look at Different Oceans Alone, a new album set to be announced soon.
Final Thoughts
“FRUSTRATOR” is a bold, bruising statement from one of Manchester’s more adventurous bands, and a promising first glimpse of the album to come. Catch them live if you can and make sure to add this to your playlists.
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