Rain Dogs – Black Sea (2026)
‘Black Sea’ is the brand new single from Liverpool-based alt-rock band Rain Dogs. It is beautifully dark and enriched with dynamic instrumentation. The lyrics have a nautical theme, intelligently crafted by vocalist Simon James Hall. His gruff vocal delivery is reminiscent of legendary singers Jim Morrison and Morrissey. I’d say this track is more in the style of The Smiths than The Doors, though.
The full edit of the track begins with the sound of cymbals and whispering on top of waves crashing against the shore. This sets the tone beautifully for this dark and atmospheric listening experience. The opening lyric, “There’s a black sea following me / Hissing out to my confused morality”, is a fine example of the poetic abstract songwriting that Rain Dogs like to use, which often focuses on the hidden beauty of reality.
‘Black Sea’ could be a metaphor for dark thoughts which can engulf us, and about escaping a mindset which is not beneficial to you. “Down from your lies / I’ve found a gentle place to hide / Away from the black sea / Away from your memory“, the chorus proclaims. There is further creative songwriting from vocalist Hall in the second verse: “Shadows of pain, moonlit and insane / Climb over the Argo’s shame“. The ‘Argo’ here is likely referring to the mythical ship in Jason & The Argonauts.
There are lovely electric guitar chords contributed by band member and producer of the song, Sam Hepworth. There’s a wonderful instrumental break where his playing becomes even more frantic. The drumming is vibrant and utilises a shuffle style. There is a nice change of pace towards the end, which brings the track to an alluring conclusion.
‘Black Sea’ is the band’s fourth single and has been getting some well-deserved exposure on local radio. Previous tracks include ‘Risk The Rain’ and ‘Always There’, which are very Doors-esque – it is apparent that they are a huge influence on Rain Dogs. They have even been known to perform ‘Light My Fire’ at their gigs. Rain Dogs are building a following with their enterprising sound, headlining shows in Liverpool and playing in Manchester.
With this release it’s apparent that Rain Dogs are set to make their mark on the music scene, built on their energy and paying homage to the legends of the past.
Learn more about Rain Dogs on Instagram and Spotify.
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