What do you expect from an artist who characterises his music as “something that makes you screw your face up a bit, run about, and let loose”? Undoubtedly, it’s a fusion of potent rhythms, restrained fury, and the essence of contemporary indie punk – all encapsulated in Humane The Moon’s new track, Ozymandias, out today.
His debut single, A Track in Orbit, caught our attention earlier this year. With visceral lyrics and productions that seamlessly blend punk and indie, it’s the kind of music that makes you want to get up from your chair and take a walk around the neighbourhood. Now he surprises us even more with his new song Ozymandias. We’re not exactly sure where Humane The Moon hails from –well, East London, judging by his accent–, but we’re confident he’s going to make a strong impression in the UK.
Ozymandias serves as the lead single from his debut EP, Mythomania, which he wrote during lunch breaks while working as an electrician from 7 am to 6 pm. I wonder if the title refers to Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem about Ramses II and the inevitable decline of those who once ruled empires. Regardless, his voice exudes anger, melancholy, and darkness, while the accompanying production reminds us of a distorted version of Bloc Party–adding yet another enticing reason to give it a listen.
It’s not often the case that an artist has such a distinct sound with only three singles released, but the truth is, he has been involved in bands in his native Leytonstone since he was a teenager. In his own words: “I feel like Humane the Moon came about from playing live with other bands where we’d be doing more mellow stuff, and then there'd be certain songs we’d play faster, and I remember that feeling when everyone's moving, and the energy is tangible. That's what I wanted this to be.” Officially, we’re into the ‘90s indie kids, the sadboy vibe, and that English grunge style, and every so often, we need a British artist from the working-class neighbourhoods to bring us songs like this, reminding us of the raw power of anger.