Crimson City – Laika (2025)
Self-described as “music you can writhe to”, Crimson City requires no skill for dancing, no aptitude for graceful twirls, no need for sophistication, understanding, or spot-on genius – it’s just something to wiggle and writhe to. Warmth and grit mixed with confidence and vulnerability, Crimson City is raw, honest, and, well, made for everyone. Despite having a discography hailing back to 2024, at least according to Spotify, this is my introduction to the Welsh rock band. Sit up and listen as we blast the single ‘Laika’ through our speakers.
Following the track ‘Cruel Dreaming’, Elle Barker (bass), Harry Greenway (drums), Shaun McHugh (guitar) and James Kapella (vocals and guitar) ended 2025 with ‘Laika’. Produced by Barker, the single sweeps with a solid 90s alternative rock sound. Steady and settled with beating drums alongside a doleful bass, a stirring guitar slides and weaves through the track. For me, the instrumentation slips together in a polished but unbelievably gritty, rough flow; someone seeking solace in a waterfall of tears. A perfect vibe considering the track is about being lost and isolated in a buzz of noise.
While the underlying idea of this poignant track stems from the voyage of Soviet space-dog Laika, the song is far more weighty. Crimson City explain that ‘Laika’ “isn’t just about shooting some poor dog into space. It’s a song about the hollow feeling of being locked inside yourself while the world just carries on. It’s about the frustration of shouting at the window while people pass you by, knowing in your heart they can’t hear a word you’re saying…”
One aspect I find particularly intriguing is how Kapella’s vocals express the psychedelic airiness and gravity-defying swerve of being in space. However, just as it is wistful and leaning toward tragedy, ‘Laika’ is also a song of hope and comfort. The band further explains: “The track ends with a repetitive, heavy refrain: ‘I know this will be over soon’… a weirdly comforting reality check for us all. There’s peace in admitting struggle has an expiration date, and that nothing – not even loneliness – lasts forever.”
Find out more about Crimson City on their Instagram, YouTube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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