New Music: Black Doldrums – Repetition

Identity and psychology play a large part within the lyrics of Repetition, a tantalising taster for Black Doldrums’ Repetition Compulsion LP.

The third and final instalment of the band’s State of Mind trilogy, it finds the London-based trio discover differing shades of black, white, and grey within an uncertain space where gothic rock, dark wave, and post-punk meet and diverge.

In keeping with the title, repetition is the foundation of both the arrangement and lyrics. Just as the song examines how, willingly or not, our actions in life and love appear to follow paths predetermined by our psychology or subconscious. The song may begin with the tacit acceptance that free will may exist, but Black Doldrums look under its skin and find that maybe we guide ourselves, for good or ill, down familiar cul-de-sacs and byways.  

Says Black Doldrums’ Kevin Gibbard about Repetition, “The song came from an idea to challenge ourselves to write something around one riff and something dirge-like. It also fit the theme of the album and the topic of repetition by literally experimenting with repetition in the musical sense.”

“The opening line – “Is your mind split in two.’ – is something taken from our conversations on our many long walks around London where Sophie (fellow band member Sophie Landers) was talking about the psychological term splitting. It seemed to fit the feel of the song and theme of the album so much so it now opens up both the album and our live shows…”

Repetition Compulsion is out on the 13th of November via Fuzz Club. You can pick up limited-edition vinyl formats of the album on Bandcamp. For other pre-order and pre-save options for Repetition Compulsion, head to Black Doldrums’ Instagram and Facebook feeds.