London-based band Black Pines have mastered the art of anthemic rock in a powerful and encapsulating sound that they describe as “bold, broody bangers.”
The quintet was initially started by cousins Tom Clark (vocals) and Jake Ringsell (guitar) in 2019, before completing the lineup with Connor Sheehan (keys and guitar), Jamie Abela (drums) and Kyle Ginn (bass).
And on the sound they’ve crafted over the last few years, Jake told us: “The love child of Royal Blood and Nothing But Thieves – fronted by a sometimes beautiful, sometimes raucous, often ridiculous vocal powerhouse.”
Our latest taste of this is Run and Hide, which encapsulates the band’s shift to a heavier sound on their new EP Bodies, released last month. Run and Hide opens up with engaging vocals and a stabbing guitar sound, which flows into a big catchy chorus. Another funky verse sees a little guitar lick creep in alongside layered vocals and feeds into another big chorus. The instrumentals drop out bar a twinkling synth sound as laid-back vocals build towards a final blast of the chorus.
On the track, Jake told us: “Our latest single has been the most exciting of our release campaign to date. Not only because of the recent love from radio and streaming platforms, but the energy we’re receiving from our fans. Though we’ve only just released Run and Hide, we’ve been playing it live for a while, and it’s always been a bit of an audience favourite live. As far as the whole EP is concerned, I think it’s the perfect blend a much heavier sound with such hooky melodies. It also seems to always get people dancing/moving – it’s a real hip-shaker.”
There’s plenty more to get excited about on Bodies, including the fantastic opening track Death Ballad. It opens up with a lively guitar riff that drops into a mellow opening verse led by high-pitched vocals. More vocal layers and light guitars come in before exploding into a powerful chorus fusing soaring vocals with chunky guitars. Check it out in the stream below:
Worlds Apart gradually builds up to a big catchy chorus then a heavier but again slowly building second verse before the pace drops on the laid-back What Are You Scared Of?. And the EP goes out in style with the superb Rule Over Me, which opens up with a delicious guitar riff and dramatic backing instrumentals. Engaging, almost spoken vocals take over before a lively chorus and dropping into another funky riff. The intensity increases in the second verse with powerful vocals and an edgy riff, then echoey vocals set up another big chorus. The pace drops, leaving tender vocals alongside a twinkling synth, before exploding into huge vocals, a plodding riff and synths combining for a big atmospheric conclusion. Check it out in the stream here:
Speaking ahead of the EP’s release, Jake said: “We’re so excited for the EP to drop. It stands in stark contrast with our older songs, but we feel like the development in sound makes sense. From day one, we’ve always been gravitating towards a heavier sound, probably because of the fact that most of our previous bands were heavier (EastStrikeWest, Searching Alaska).
“In the process of developing this heavier new Black Pines sound, we also let ourselves be inspired by artists further afield from our genre. A big inspiration in that regard was Sleep Token – though much more in the metal world than our alt-rock origins, the freedom in their writing and their reluctance to get comfortable in any one genre was a bit of a shining light for our writing process.
“We tried less to fit our music in a box, and instead wrote music we wanted to hear as fans. As a result, it turned out better I think – it’s louder, heavier, more accomplished, atmospheric, sometimes cinematic, but above all – we’re proud of it, and so far it sounds like our fans are along for the ride. It’s also pushed us all as musicians much further – the playing is more technical and interesting and the vocals journey above and beyond what’s come before.”
The new Black Pines sound has been influenced by the approaches of the likes of Tigercub, Yonaka and Nothing But Thieves. As Jake explains: “Rock music has needed a makeover for a long time now, and bands like those are paving the way for what the genre can become. It’s boundless and rule-breaking, and something we try to adopt every time we write.”
And on what inspires them to write music, Jake adds: “For the main songwriters in the band, I think writing music is just necessary – without it we’d lose our minds. Because of that, every song is close to our hearts, and because there’s multiple writers in the band, it never ceases too long on one set theme.
“On this EP for instance, Run and Hide deals with a turbulent romantic relationship, whilst focus track Rule Over Me addresses the American Government directly, taking a more socio political attack on their systems. One of the most honest lyrical treatments on the record is definitely a song called What Are You Scared Of? Tom wrote this about coming to terms with himself and his anxiety, and it’s one of the most close-to-the-bone songs we’ve ever made.”
Black Pines’ new EP Bodies is out now. The band have already started writing and demoing their next set of releases, so expect more loud and proud music towards the end of this year and into 2024. They also have plans to gig around the country as soon as possible, so look out for shows near you soon.
You can follow Black Pines on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.
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