Leeds-based quartet Bathing Suits have officially arrived, marking their territory with the release of their high-octane debut EP, KILL BATHING SUITS, out today via Underplay Recordings. The band, the label’s inaugural signing, have crafted a sound that feels like a collision between the frenetic post-punk of Model/Actriz and the unapologetic, raunchy pop sensibilities of the early 2010s. Recorded and produced by Benny Howell (DJ Subaru), the five-track project is a masterclass in genre-bending, shifting seamlessly from the seven-minute noise-trance epic “Empathy” to the raw, four-to-the-floor ferocity of their new single, “Swan Princess.”
Of the single, Freyja Belvins states,
Swan Princess was one of the songs that we had written earlier last year, it was supposed to be a sort of dancey but still punky track, something that fit well into our live set. At the time I was quite inspired by a-lot of what Model/Actriz were coming out with.
The band’s aesthetic is deeply rooted in the DIY party scene of their hometown, having honed their sound in the same cramped, bass-heavy basements where they once hosted their own underground club nights. Vocalist and live drum machine operator Freyja Blevins notes that “Swan Princess” was designed specifically to bridge their dual identities as a dance-floor-ready act and a hard-hitting punk outfit. This live-focused ethos has already made the band a must-see sensation, with their high-octane performances leading to sold-out shows at venues like The Lexington and high-profile support slots with acts like Man/Woman/Chainsaw and Lava La Rue.
With a jam-packed summer festival schedule ahead, including appearances at The Great Escape and Green Man, Bathing Suits are quickly proving to be one of the most exciting new prospects in the UK music scene. Having already garnered significant backing from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and KEXP, the band’s debut serves as a bold opening statement for Underplay Recordings, a new label venture distributed through Virgin Music Group. As they transition from basement DIY darlings to a formidable festival force, Bathing Suits are successfully proving that their abrasive guitars and pummeling techno beats are the perfect soundtrack for the modern club.
