In her latest single “howl,” Genevieve Miles dives deeper into psychedelic indie territory, layering her sound with shoegaze and rock influences that bring new vibrancy to her style. Known for her ability to blend genre-bending elements, Miles’ work on “howl” has been compared to the soundscapes of Talking Heads, Slowdive, and Courtney Barnett. Described by Local and Live as “a true artist of today’s generation,” her music continues to mature and develop. This single, her first to be recorded with her full band, marks a significant shift for Miles, who returned to her roots in Birmingham earlier this year, reconnecting with the city that has long been her creative home.
The raw, gritty environment of Birmingham’s Digbeth district is palpable throughout “howl,” capturing the electric feel of a city that is itself a hotbed for emerging talent. Produced by Jo Cartledge, “howl” takes on an edgy authenticity, resonating with the exciting pulse of Birmingham’s music scene, where indie bands like Gingham, Jazzcat, and pip are making waves. In her new single, Miles blends layers of emotion with deft storytelling, weaving together her influences and personal experience into a sound that is both cohesive and deeply expressive.
Miles has described “howl” as a track that holds a special place for her and her band: “This has always been our favourite to play live; I am beyond excited that we can all finally cry and scream together at home to this song, one I wrote at ground zero of a broken heart.” Her passionate vocals and the lush instrumental arrangement offer listeners a window into her healing journey, giving the track an emotive depth that makes it one of her most resonant releases yet.
This new release follows her 2023 EP, So heavy, so hard to hold, which gained significant acclaim, including features in BBC Introducing’s Top Tracks of 2023 and Dead Good Music’s top ten EPs of the year. “Good,” the EP's lead single, even found its way into mainstream attention with a Hyundai commercial feature, racking up over a million views. As she continues to innovate and explore new avenues within her sound, Genevieve Miles’ “howl” solidifies her place as a rising force in indie music, blending authenticity with a voice that speaks to the heart of her generation.
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