thistle. - it's nice to see you, stranger

The vinyl version of ‘it’s nice to see you, stranger’ combines the EP of the same name with previously released singles, ‘bitebitebite’, ‘close to my chest (hesitate)’, ‘magpies’, ‘lomochrome’ and ‘tiletalk’, making this their most concise catalog release to date.

With a singular guitar amp pushed to breaking point, deafeningly loud drums and rumbling basslines, their lofi instrumental attack gives way to dreamlike melodies that surf the thunder and push the music into netherworlds of shoegaze, indie rock and hardcore, a unique blend that’s undeniably thistle.

Across this release, the sound stretches from delicate moments of vulnerability that barely whisper along, to a clamour of feedback roaring through the speakers like a jet plane, consistently emotive in delivery and always surprising.

While drummer, Lewis O’Grady, pushes and pulls on the loud quiet aspects of the track, the dual vocal delivery of guitarist Cameron Godrey and bass player Carey Judwyn Rushton harnesses the intensity, conjuring beauty and catharsis throughout. It’s a style of songwriting that captivates the listener, making you feel like you’re in that garage with them, strumming the riffs and pounding the drums.