Fierce Friend – Blood Red Hills (2026)
While we’re only discovering Alan Grice today, the UK-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is a seasoned musician with years of touring, performing, working as a musical director at festivals, making appearances on BBC 6 and MTV, as well as being a long-time collaborator with The MayDays – so, yeah, he isn’t necessarily a newbie in the music industry. While Grice is also known for The Gin Club, Electronic Soft Parade and Octopuses, it is his solo project that draws our attention. Founded in 2018, Fierce Friend saunters across the Brighton indie scene; today, we listen to its most recent release, ‘Blood Red Hills’.
Following his well-received singles, ‘Sing All Night’ and ‘So Alive’, ‘Blood Red Hills’ is the first taste of Grice’s upcoming album, Blood Red Hills & The Uncanny Valley. Retaining the dizzying feeling of the previous tracks, although not as brash as ‘So Alive’, ‘Blood Red Hills’ is a rush of jagged guitars backed by a fuzzy bass, and a sparkling blitz of electronic beats slicing, swinging and dancing.
Melodically, ‘Blood Red Hills’ is a real trip with its buzzing indie vibe, but there is a lingering darkness beneath the surface. Grice shares that “…the bright melodic hooks and a euphoric chorus sit against a darker story of love and trust slowly wearing away…” The tune perfectly captures the feeling of complex, crazy, immersive, all-encompassing, slightly claustrophobic love, with the scorching pace biting away at your being. Interestingly, as much as the tune is a push through a kaleidoscopic soundscape, Grice lets you go with a simple, tender, easy few notes on a keyboard.
As I mentioned, this is my introduction to Fierce Friend, and it’s been a bit of a shock with hard-hitting, head-spinning music. Am I into it? It’s not bad, giving you a break from the mundane workday. Will I keep listening? I don’t know, but I am interested in the upcoming album.
Find out more about Fierce Friend on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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