Barking Poets return with a galactic punch in their new single “Losing Contact,” proving once again that power-pop punk can still surprise you when it’s in the right hands. Known for their gritty hooks and high-energy swagger, the London trio, Neil Murray, Conor Thomas, and Conor Heary, venture into more introspective and experimental territory here, without losing their sharp edge. Produced by the legendary Paul Tipler at Unit 13 Studios, this track is your souvenir from space, rife with heartache, distortion, and unexpected tenderness.
The song kicks off with thumping drums and shrill guitars that immediately lay down a charged, gritty, infectious, and alt-rock nostalgic rhythm. Neil Murray’s vocals come in rough and raspy, lower than usual, with a moody intensity that leans into Jim Morrison territory. But this punk song has a heavy riff under which “Losing Contact” morphs midway. The chorus explodes with harmony-drenched hooks, just like classic Barking Poets, but just when you think you’ve mapped the trajectory, the band shifts gears.
Out of nowhere, the groove quiets, and a soulful, almost angelic bridge sweeps in. Murray’s voice softens as the band leans into an atmospheric moment. A Slash-esque guitar solo takes over, bluesy and yearning, before the band circles back to their urgent refrain: “I’m losing contact now / Got to get through somehow.” It’s punk poetry dipped in melancholy space dust.
Lyrically, it’s a bittersweet orbit through disconnection and long-distance emotional static—“My dreams are falling from orbit and burning up in the atmosphere”—a sci-fi metaphor for watching a relationship fade in real time. “Losing Contact” is a bold evolution in sound for Barking Poets, and one that deserves to be played loud, preferably under a starry sky.
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Review by: Naomi Joan