‘It’s The Squeeze’ is different, to say the least. For any other artist, it might be a mad choice for a single, but for Dog Race, it’s becoming business as usual.
The band is becoming well-known for their ‘wild’ music (to quote BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders) and their part-gothic, part-eighties-synth-pop sound. ‘It’s The Squeeze’ completely fits in with their discography to date, sharing much DNA with previous singles ‘Terror’ and ‘There’s a Mouse in My House’.
The new track possesses an uncanny valley feeling – part Kraftwerk and part Suburban Lawns in that it sounds strange and a bit alien, but in a good way. You find yourself drawn to the weirdness of it, letting it wash over you, until it’s an hour later and you realise it’s been on repeat the whole time – perhaps the best word for it is ‘hypnotic’, in that sense.
On the track, lead singer Katie Healy says it represents a pivotal point in her last relationship – when it was beginning to become stifling. “I know that it’s my fault, but then it’s not, but then it is again” perfectly represents that internal struggle with yourself when a relationship is coming to an end, and these lyrics, coupled with the electronic sound of the track, feel cathartic, in many ways.
If you haven’t checked out Dog Race yet, what are you doing? Do it immediately for goodness sake.
Words: Rosie Smith // Photo: Holly Whitaker
‘It’s The Squeeze’ is out now via Fascination Street Records. Stream or purchase the track via Bandcamp.