Breakup Haircut: I’m Okay (I Lied)
(INH Records)
DL/Streaming
Out Now
Breakup Haircut return with I’m Okay (I Lied), their second slice of new music since their acclaimed debut album, 2022’s Punk Dancing for Self Defence
I was sure that I’d previously reviewed the album or one of Breakup Haircut’s excellent singles, Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Night Bus) or Why Can’t I Be Cool Enough To Move To Berlin? for LTW but looking through the archive and searching online I can’t find any trace of either… it must be my age…
Anyway, the feisty punk DIY-popsters cue have released I’m Okay (I Lied), an emotional tale of endings and beginnings, of chaos and hurt and what comes out of it all ahead of their new album, No Worries If Not! An album which promises ‘a joyous collection that sees the band leaning into joy, silliness and trust.’
Formed in 2019 with two goals: being friends and playing fast. Breakup Haircut consist of Ishani (vocals and rhythm guitar), Ripley (bass and vocals), Delphine (lead guitar and vocals) and Jordan on drums). I’m Okay (I Lied) follows The Algorithm Is Trying To Kill Me, which was described as ‘a cathartic scream against constant commodification: a collision of whirling drums, jagged guitars, and sharp, sardonic vocals tearing through the noise of relentless sales pitching. A slice of restless, hooky chaos for anyone who ever wanted to throw their phone into the sea’.
Speaking of the new single, bassist Ripley explains, ’2023 was a chaotic and unhappy year for me. With a lot of bad fortune and core elements of stability in my life disappearing or falling apart,’ continuing ‘Then I got dumped right at the tail end of the year. It’s about the little moments that build up towards the end. Where no-one is happy, but you can’t quite bear to cut the threads yet. I hit 2024 numb, angry and completely hollowed out. It’s a cliché that musicians write songs instead of going to therapy. I was that cliché. This song came out of that mess.’
I’m Okay (I Lied) is an emo-pop confessional, woven with countermelodies and jangly guitars, capturing the push and pull of a slow, painful breakup. Vulnerable but defiant, it’s a scream-in-your-car song disguised as a sunny indie-pop track.
The album No Worries If Not! can be preordered here
The album launch will be at The Victoria, Dalston on 28th November. Tickets here
For more info on Breakup Haircut visit their LinkTree
All words by Iain Key. See his author profile here or find him via his LinkTree
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