Love isn’t always in the air and hot on the heels of a strong 2023, and Bedroom Tax captures this with their new pop-soaked indie banger ‘Hands on the Wheel’.
Following a 2023 that saw Bedroom Tax go from strength to strength, with three uniquely triumphant releases, each championed by tastemakers like Radio X’s John Kennedy & BBC’s Abbie McCarthy, the band returns with more big bass and punchy beats, but welcome a more heartfelt lyricism in a tale of love very much on the rocks.
Rapper and chief lyricist Gideon Parirenyatwa narrates ‘Hands on the Wheel’ vividly portraying a relationship teetering on the brink ensnared in a web of lies and deceit. The chorus declares the protagonist being ‘not the type to fight’ but their deceived lover being ‘the type to wife’ as fellow vocalist Josh Collins urges us to ‘keep your hands on the steering wheel’ to add a pop-anthemic quality to the rap-led tune.
Sean Guy (songwriter, guitars, live bassist) creates a characteristic foundation of big bass and beats, combining both to motor the song forward. Whilst the bassline evokes hip-hop classics like “Hate It Or Love It” by The Game, the guitar work is reminiscent of Nile Rodgers or John Frusciante, with Paul Monham (lead guitar) also layering standout hooks throughout. Urban, funk and rock influences are on full display – culminating in a unique sound that somehow feels incredibly familiar. The band also experiment, for the first time, with organs and synths, taking them into new territory and giving the track a fresh edge. This, combined with colourful layers of added percussion and VST strings, taps into realms such as LCD Soundsystem and Baxter Dury.
Written by the band’s chief songwriters, Sean Guy and Gideon Parirenyatwa, ‘Hands on the Wheel’ was recorded and produced by JB Pilon at Hackney Road Studios, receiving the crowning touch of expert mastering by the unparalleled Matt Colton (Arctic Monkeys, Little Simz, Rolling Stones) at Metropolis Studios.
Listen to ‘Hands on the Wheel’ – BELOW:
Be the first to comment