Paint Me In Colour Are Back With A Bang(er): ‘Pity Me’
Liverpool-based four-piece indie band Paint Me In Colour (consisting of members George Higgins, Matt Johnson, Olivia Springer and Sam Pierpoint) have returned with “potentially [their] favourite release so far” with new single, Pity Me. Released on November 17, the track is their second single of 2022, following a string of releases that formed last year’s What Am I To You? EP.
Sonically, Pity Me continues in a similar musical direction to summer single Better Than This, both of which have seen the band swapping out their classic indie sound for “spangly guitars, nostalgic hooks, and distorted drum grooves”.
PMIC reference Nothing But Thieves, Maisie Peters, Fickle Friends and Kid Kapichi (as well as pop icon Avril Lavigne) as recent influences in finding “a sound that [they’re] truly proud of”. That nostalgic, pop-punk/rock vibe saturates the track, the chorus particularly being reminiscent of Paramore’s earlier work perhaps, albeit modernized and fresh-sounding. Several playful moments throughout incorporate sound effects into the production – from a beeping heart monitor synth to screeching car tyres – making for a track packed with personality and character.
Springer’s electrifying lead vocals project lyrics which preach sticking it to people who bring others down, instead continuing to be yourself unapologetically: “Have your opinion, say what you will, I’d rather be me than an uptight screw” / “So wrapped up in your tiny world, you don’t wanna have an open mind”. The band set out to write something “that people could relate to as much as they could mosh to”, and that was certainly achieved with Pity Me!
A foreboding lead synth veers us into a bridge section, where the tempo is slowed, and rhythm switched up into a more jagged groove, laid out against confrontational lyrics: “Are you unhappy? Or are you lonely?” / “Do you like to play the big man? To save face and hide that you are?”. The bridge’s alternate feel is a refreshing change of pace, making it all the more impactful when the chorus comes out swinging for a final round. It is easy to imagine that the track would totally take off in a live setting!
Pity Me is an absolute banger, and another brilliant release from Paint Me In Colour. As with their back catalogue, the band are able to navigate different genres fluently, their releases only getting stronger over time. It will be exciting to see where they take us next as their sound continues to evolve! An additional single – recorded in Liverpool’s legendary Motor Museum with producer Al Groves (Bring Me The Horizon, The Sherlocks, STONE) – is planned for release later this year, before the band take their live sound on the road for a number of festival performances in 2023.
Visit Paint Me In Colour’s website PaintMeInColour.com for updates from the band and stream Pity Me, out now!
Jude Bankier
