The Orwells drop video for new single ‘Black Francis’

Everyone’s favourite slightly unhinged American garage rockers The Orwells are back with another sneak peek of their upcoming record in new single ‘Black Francis’. Being the absolute gents they are, they’ve provided an appropriately manic music video for our viewing pleasure, too.

Much in the same vein as the tub-thumping ‘They Put a Body in the Bayou’, albeit with the kick drum toned down somewhat, this new track delivers the kind of focus – and dare I say it – maturity in both the lyrical and musical departments that seems to emanate from their latest material.

The guitar hooks, while not quite in the ‘Who Needs You’ league of compelling catchiness, provide too exactly the kind of distressed, irate backdrop you’d fully expect from the Illinois troupe. The title is indeed, if you were wondering, a tribute to Frank Black, and as ever the fingerprints of The Pixies can be heard, tucked into the many whines and creaks of the song.

With the elephant in the room of popular music being the unfeasibly strange political era the USA has just been plunged into, there may never be a better time for these guys to stamp their feet on the long and varied history of American punk.

If ‘Black Francis’ is anything to go by, then Terrible Human Beings – out on 17 February –  might just be on track to do exactly that.

The Orwells are also set to go on a huge tour.