We’re all fractured in some way. Some lives are far more shattered than others, be it through tragedy or circumstance, but no one escapes life without suffering damage. And while I would never want to minimize or downplay any person’s pain, by and large, it’s how we respond to our individual struggles that define our character. Self-reliance is a necessary tool then, for as Culture Cough point out on their new single, “Heroes are never around when you need them to be.”
Featuring former members of post-hardcore stalwarts Of Machines, Culture Cough draw their catharsis through less aggressive means. The band’s aesthetic is more atmospheric and pop-leaning with a greater emphasis on melody and anthemic hooks. For its part, “Broken” has a kind of pulsing drive with airy synths merging with swirling guitars to create an enveloping pocket of sound. Although the song’s message is intended to be empowering, it’s steeped in an aura of melancholy. The surging chorus sounds less like an affirmation and more like tenuous acceptance, which perhaps is part of the point.
“‘Broken’ is a song about finding your inner hero,” the group said in a statement. “It’s saying that you don’t need someone else to save you when you can pull yourself up by the bootstraps and handle your demons alone. Heroes tend to fall short of expectations, but you’ll always fight harder to protect number one and we believe that’s an important concept in this time.”
Directed by Quinton Thomas, the video incorporates performance footage alongside clips of the group recording at Burnt Toast Sound Studios, which is owned and operated by the group’s guitarist Michael Matejick (ex-Of Machines). Contrary to the song’s wistful tone, the vibe is cheery and uplifting, showcasing the band doing what they love the most.
Watch/listen above.
Culture Cough will perform on Sat., Feb. 8 at Toast And Jam Studio alongside Sarah and the Safe Word, Harm, and Empty. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10. All ages.
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