Alfie Templeman has shared a new single entitled “Eyes Wide Shut,” his first new piece of original solo music since his 2022 debut LP Mellow Moon. Sharing a name with Stanley Kubrick’s final movie (perhaps the worst movie in the history of film to watch with family members), the track is out now via Chess Club Records/AWAL Recordings. The song, which consists of fragments from Templeman’s daily journal, is a psych-pop thriller with guitar lines inspired by ’80s dance music. The singer moves effortlessly in and out of a a falsetto, showcasing his dynamic range.
“‘Eyes Wide Shut’ is an amalgamation of ruminations I faced on tour,” Templeman shares. “My brain always seems to be on full volume after a show and I find it really difficult to wind down. The adrenaline used to turn sour pretty quick once you’d get back to your hotel that looked the same as every other hotel.
“‘Eyes Wide Shut’ helped me express those feelings and since we started playing it live I often use it as a reminder to go easy on myself. It deters the burn out,” he continues. “Musically, ‘Eyes’ was the first song I wrote for my upcoming album. I knew I wanted to make big, weird pop songs. At the time I was rinsing Prince and Talking Heads a lot, lots of crazy staccato synth textures and nutty bass lines.”
Check out the new track below.
