New Music: Breaches – Valentine

New Zealand’s Breaches look to 50s-inspired rock and roll on their new single Valentine, but not in ways you’d expect.

Compared to Seeds, their single from last month, there is less of an overt or dominant post-punk and cold wave influence on the track, but it is here, and the dark romance of Valentine works wonderfully with it. The vocals lean into that, rumbling and brooding, over a tight drum beat, a heart steady and sinister.

Yes, it’s romantic, but in a Gomez and Morticia Addams way, the lyrics seem to find love in violence and romance among the ruins it leaves in its wake. To be honest, that is right up my street musically and lyrically, and an opportunity to dance among devastation.

Says the Wellington-based duo about Valentine, “It’s as song for anyone who never had a prom date or knows the pain of having to leave someone else behind.”

Valentine is out now and streaming on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp. For band news and other listening options for their music, check out Breaches on Facebook or Instagram.