The House Flies soar into darkness With “Sweet Foxhound”
With “Sweet Foxhound,” The House Flies immediately prove that their brand of gothic post-punk is anything but recycled sound. The Midwest collective has returned after 2024’s Mannequin Deposit with a single that feels both born of that same era and yet perfectly evolved. Listeners are transported into an atmospheric immersion from its guitar swells, groovin’ basslines, and vocals that hypnotize as much as they haunt. It creates an almost cinematic feel that builds and builds until it crashes over you in waves.
Their discog has always thrived on mood, but here, mood transforms into momentum. The track opens with layered guitars that shimmer and brood, laying the foundation for a deep bass groove that anchors the song like a slow, steady heartbeat. The vocals, delivered with a cool restraint, draw the listener into a trance. Yet it’s the dynamic explosion around the two-minute mark that cements “Sweet Foxhound” as something special! A sudden surge of sound where the guitars expand into shoegaze-like walls, reminiscent of Slowdive but never derivative. This eruption is cathartic and overwhelming, a blast of sound and emotion that elevates the track beyond its typical “genre” convention.
Where many artists in the genre lean too heavily on one side of the equation, The House Flies walk the tightrope with precision. The song feels like a roller coaster while moments of introspective calm give way to soaring, noisy crescendos, pulling you into peaks and valleys of tension and release. With a nice pair of headphones, you legitimately feel the song in your chest.
“Sweet Foxhound” was originally conceived during their last record’s sessions, but the band’s expanded lineup has clearly helped it reach its full potential. It doesn’t feel like a leftover idea, it feels like intent, pointing toward the direction of their next album. In our eyes, they’re set to push their sound further into expansive, emotionally charged territory while keeping their roots in gothic atmosphere.
We’re so unbelievably ready for that evolution and it looks like we’re on the way. For now while we patiently wait, go ahead and click those links below to listen in, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for all that’s next.
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