The listening experience behind ‘Sever’ is rather… explosive. Gritty, intense and distorted, the track hits us like a bag of bricks, a slice of unrepentant punk goodness that’s partly nostalgic and partly contemporary. Developing over three minutes of hard-hitting aural euphoria, the single marks the return of Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist/engineer/producer Che Arthur (guitarist/vocalist in Pink Avalanche and Atombombpocketknife), kickstarting a journey that will take him to his forthcoming fifth solo album, ‘Describe This Present Moment’.
It’s quite refreshing to hear such a raw, expansive effort. In a musical landscape that’s veering more and more towards extreme polish, there’s value in getting back to basics, remembering the pure, unfiltered energy of fuzzy guitars and punchy drums. Che Arthur’s vocals are the perfect match for such a potent aural formula, here delivered with fierceness and a dark, bold tone.
The same ethos could be applied to society as a whole, drawing a parallel to the upcoming album’s lyrical theme. As we transition into a digital, remote-based society, connections between people emerge as frail and unsafe; it might be time to return to basics. As Arthur explains: “pining for real connection in a society that grows ever more disconnected and unsafe”. Che is on tour in Europe throughout November, supporting Bob Mould, and will be travelling the US in early 2026.
Recommended! Discover ‘Sever’ on Bandcamp:
