Tomato Flower’s New Single “Destroyer” Portrays an Unsettling, Captivating Transformation

The track follows the Baltimore band’s Golden Arc and Construction EPs from last year.
First Listen

Tomato Flower’s New Single “Destroyer” Portrays an Unsettling, Captivating Transformation

The track follows the Baltimore band’s Golden Arc and Construction EPs from last year.

Words: Margaret Farrell

Photo: Missy Malouff

April 04, 2023

Tomato Flower has returned today following last year's Gold Arc and Construction EPs with a new single called "Destroyer." The group played this track live for fans while on tour with Animal Collective recently, and the official recording comes with a visual by the band's Austyn Wohlers that was inspired by Pylon's "Beep" music video.

"Destroyer" is an exhilarating punch in the gut, with delicate vocal sighs that accentuate the song's sense of dismay. "I know you wait for me at home," singer-guitarist Jamison Murphy howls during the first verse. "I know you’re there when I’m alone." Something or someone is stalking him, ready to destroy. Mike Alfieri's drums stumble, while Ruby Mars' bass triumphantly stomps around; guitars from Murphy and Wohlers curl and twist, slinking into the shadows.

"'Destroyer' came out all at once in a period of sleeplessness and turmoil, and then was sharpened through collaboration," Murphy explains. "It's about seeing shadow people, but there's a reversal, and the speaker becomes possessed, becomes the destroyer."

Watch the video for "Destroyer" below.