Five Tracks From: Black Doldrums

Blog favourites Black Doldrums have just dropped their Repetition Compulsion album, and it’s one that fans of thoughtful post-punk shouldn’t miss.

Kevin and Sophie from the band have taken time out of their hectic schedule to share some favourite songs of their own – and others they love too – as part of our Five Tracks From feature. Big thanks from us to you!

The new album

The album is called Repetition Compulsion – we’ve released 4 singles in the run-up; each single has revealed a different face of the album themes. It’s been the most difficult but best work to date; even the practical side of making it had its challenges, but we overcame each one, and now it’s soon to be out there (or out when this is read).

The first song you released

Sad Paradise on Dead Awake was released in December 2021, I want to say. It was the first song that really pushed our more cold and angular sound forward. The title is from Denver Doldrums by Allen Ginsberg; it’s rooted in the origins of the band. Part 2 of the song is Dwell or Depart, from the second album.

A favourite track of your own

K: Eulogy from the new album. It’s a good bookend to the album and a cycle of a life’s work. It was inspired by an old demo recorded many years ago, which went unused for years but strangely fit the mood of this album. It fits the theme of the album because it’s a song from the past.

S:  At the moment, it’s Echoes. I enjoy playing it, but the song’s really come to life through the studio version.

A song you wish you had written

K: Echoes, because it came out in one go and was so easy, I’m convinced I didn’t write it. To be honest, I’m inspired by other people’s songs, but I wouldn’t wish to write other people’s songs; that’s why I write my own. I’d love the cash Wonderwall made, but it wouldn’t mean anything to me to write.

S: All I Want for Christmas Is You, because I’d be a billionaire by now.

A song that gets you singing/dancing

S: Alright by East17, it’s a banger and Bela Lugosi’s Dead, although the only dancing you can do to that is cringey creeping around.

K: Spandau Ballet, To Cut a Long Story Short.

S: I can vouch for that; I have video evidence.

What’s happening for you in the coming months?

S: We’re on tour in February, March, April, and May [2027]. So basically, all next year, ha ha, and probably getting back into writing at some point within that period. 

K: Coming up with some new merch ideas and working out how to bring something new to our live set.

Repetition Compulsion is out now via Fuzz Club and can be picked up in limited-edition vinyl formats on the label’s webstore. The digital version can be streamed on Spotify and downloaded on Bandcamp.

February ’27 sees the band start an extensive run of European live dates, beginning in London, with appearances pencilled in for Germany, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. Currently confirmed dates see the trio finish the tour in Huddersfield at Afterlight Festival.

For live news and streaming options for their album, be sure to make your presence known on Black Doldrums’ Instagram and Facebook feeds.