In a world that so frequently demands us to abandon parts of ourselves for the sake of love, or faith, or social convention, Basciville and Ailbhe Reddy’s new single “Your Own Head” lands with an exhale of honesty. The first song the band wrote for what would eventually be its second album establishes the thematic tone, with a chilling meditation on self-preservation and moral obligation. It laments the things we do for ourselves in love, religion, and society at large,
Reddy’s singing soars from the drop downbeat, a lighthouse beam through fog, clear and emotional, almost impossibly precise. This atmospheric kind of music, with Basciville’s lush orchestrations, can only be described as striking.
“Your Own Head” is a meticulously stitched-together story in which deft songwriting intersects with evocative performance. Guitars stack high, harmonies swell, and lyrics sting with introspection, a tension between openness and greatness. It’s a song that doesn’t just sing to the listener, it holds up a mirror, forcing us to consider our own sacrifices.
For those trying to navigate the delicate balance between personality and societal expectations, “Your Own Head” is a reminder that art can illuminate even the murkiest corners of our consciousness. It’s a creepy and human debut from a collection of songs that was almost certain to define an album.