Genevieve Miles returns, and this time, she’s not playing coy. Her new single, “Howl,” is a gut-punching, cathartic release, an atmosphere-blasting blend of shoegaze, indie rock, and emotional reckoning. For an artist whose work is often described as dreamy alt-pop, “Howl” marks a decided evolution, exploring the grit and immediacy of artists like Slowdive, the Talking Heads , and Courtney Barnett.
“Howl” is a hazy, urgent, and profoundly intimate corporeal experience. It’s also a milestone moment for Genevieve, who made her first studio recording with her full band. Produced by Jo Cartledge and dominated by the raw, untamed spirit of Birmingham’s burgeoning Digbeth music scene, the song throbs with the same restless feeling of the city itself.
“This is always our favorite to play live,” Genevieve says. “I wrote it sitting at ground zero of a broken heart, and now we can finally all cry and scream together at home.” That emotional heft is palpable in every wailing guitar line and reverb-soaked vocal, making “howl” a song you don’t merely listen to. You feel it.
Following the success of her critically acclaimed EP, So Heavy, So Hard to Hold, which BBC Introducing named among 2023’s best releases so far, Genevieve is carving a unique space for herself in the indie scene. If “howl” is any indication, she’s not just evolving; she’s thriving, transmuting heartbreak into something wild and beautiful.