CLUNK Recommends | World News -Sidestep

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London’s hottest new band World News return with rhythmic new single ‘sidestep’

In a propulsive return to form for South London’s masters of “jangle-bop,” World News have released their latest single, ‘Sidestep.’ Formed just before lockdown, World News survived one of the most challenging eras for emerging artists, building a reputation for a sound that is entirely original yet strangely familiar.

The track opens with a mechanical, clock-like drum rhythm paired with a driving guitar strum, quickly joined by a steady bass-line. While the band has always leaned on post-punk influences, ‘Sidestep’ fully embraces a sharper, more rhythmic edge. The guitars don’t just provide melody; they act as percussion, cutting through the mix with staccato stabs that recall the jittery energy of early 2000s New York indie. The production is crisp. Unlike the reverb-heavy ‘wall of sound’, found on their debut EP, ‘Sidestep’ allows every instrument its own breathing room. This clarity highlights the tightness of the rhythm section, which serves as the backbone for lead singer Alex Evan’s vocals.

Lyrically, the song explores watching someone you care about drift through life without purpose or intentionally sabotaging their own happiness. Evan’s delivery is breathless and urgent, particularly during the chorus. The highlight of the track is the bridge. Just as the song threatens to become predictable, it dissolves into a swirling psychedelic breakdown, a nod to the band’s atmospheric roots before coming back into a final, chorus.

‘Sidestep’ is a bold statement of intent. It proves the band isn’t afraid to lean into a more aggressive, danceable sound without losing the intellectual depth that fans first fell in love with. If this is a preview of a forthcoming album, the year ahead looks very bright for World News.

Listen/watch here:

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