DARKO Announces ‘SPARKLE’ EP Out October 21 New Single “Cruel To Be” Out Now.
DARKO invites listeners to get angry with a cutting new single âCruel To Beâ; a scalding attack on the â#BeKindâ movement and influential online culture war âbulliesâ.
âWe're often lectured about how much nicer the world would be if we were all âa bit more kindâ, says new singer Tom West. âItâs a lovely sentiment, but if we arenât standing up to bullies, we aren't being âmore kindâ at all, we're just being cowards and hypocrites. Calling out a bigot doesnât make you as bad as the bigot.â West continues: âOften the worst bullies use their massive platforms to attack marginalised groups, and then claim theyâre the ones being bullied when people fight back. Cruel to Be is dedicated to anyone whoâs fed up with being told they're overreacting to being smeared and dehumanised by professional antagonists with enormous wealth, reach and influence.â
Tom West Vocals Rob Piper Guitar / Backing Vocals Chris Brown Guitar / Backing Vocals Karl Sursham Bass / Backing Vocals Andy Borg Drums
DARKO has pulled few punches since West – previously of Almeida – was unveiled as the bandâs new vocalist, replacing Dan Smith who fronted the band from 2010 to 2020. Recently the band has made headlines for calling for a cull of misogynists within the punk rock community in âThe Ladderâ, and a misanthropic attack on selfishness in COVID-era Britain in âAUXâ.
The theme of standing up to structural injustice endures here, with barbs such as âBe kind all you like, but does it nullify their cruel, barbaric policies?â
Alongside being perhaps the most provocative offering, this third single from the upcoming EP âSPARKLEâ is DARKOâs most sonically unconventional release to date. Longtime fans of the skate punk stalwarts are bound to have strong opinions about the departure of their signature double-time drum assault, in favour of explosive post-hardcore sensibilities, funk-influenced bass licks, and stadium-rock choruses taking the bandâs sound to bold, unchartered territory.
SPARKLE will be available digitally, on 4-panel wallet CD and colored 12âł vinyl EP cut at 45 RPM.
Tracklist:
The Ladder
Aux
Cruel To Be
Quite
All songs written by DARKO
EP Produced and Mastered by Will Duff at Goliath Sound Studios
Drums Recorded by Daly George at The Ranch
Drums Edited by Charlie Munro at Munro Audio
Extra Vocals in The Ladder by Katz Hinsley, from Follow You Dreams
EP Artwork by Helena Smyth AlphineAyita
âCruel to Beâ is available now on all digital platforms, with âSPARKLEâ set for release via Lockjaw (EU) and Thousand Island Records (CA) this Autumn.