Everyone’s favourite occult-goth 5 piece New Pagans are back with ‘Charlie Has The Face of a Saint’.
A more downcast, autumnal affair than their preceding singles, ‘Charlie…’ showcases proudly all that is great about the Lyndsey McDougal fronted band – subtle religious and spiritual imagery, locked-in bass and drum grooves – and more.
Making use of phrases from overheard conversations pieced together, the almost blank verse lyrics paint over the sonic backdrop with a voyeuristic haze, pushing the true meaning of the song further into obscurity.
Hypnotic, spidery guitar riffs move throughout the empty spaces like wisps of smoke, at once evocative and incredibly catchy – this is where the song shines live with the dual-guitar assault cranked to full volume, enabling the satisfying harmonics to ring out into the chorus.
The track’s accompanying visual, directed by bassist Claire Miskimmin, shows candlelit vigils, veiled figures in dark rooms punctuated by strobe lights and scenes of imposing countryside, serving a strong thematic link to the video for their last single – the cover for ‘Charlie…’ is, in fact, a still from the video for ‘It’s Darker.’
Much like ‘It’s Darker,’ New Pagan’s latest offering pushes their idiosyncratic brand of witchy post-punk further in new, exciting. directions.
