Earlier this month, Grand Rapids indie rockers Phabies returned with a new Earth Day single, with proceeds from the month of April benefitting Brian Eno’s Earth/Percent organization. Rather than just being a lone track released for a good cause, though, the band is sharing today that it will also appear on their forthcoming sophomore album The Curse of Caring alongside the previously released “No Sharks” and “Tell Her,” as well as the newly unveiled track “The Bloodletting.” “I’ve always felt a duty to create something out of nothing,” shares band leader Laura Hobson on the inspiration for the transformational new LP. “Whether that’s changing a grass lawn into a native ecosystem or playing three chords to create a song.”
With a sense of change central to the new LP, “The Bloodletting” feels like an apt single to roll out alongside the album announcement. Despite the metal-as-hell name, the track is entirely weightless pop-rock, with sunny guitar lines, Hobson’s spritely vocals, and a warm-breeze chorus making the track feel like the perfect introduction to spring time. Think the beachy vibes of Alvvays with one of the members of Finom on the mic.
“The writing process for this song was sparked by a serendipitous error during a blood-draw that ended with Laura’s blood on the walls, a vintage bag, and phlebotomist,” the band shares (edit: OK, that is pretty metal). “While no literal blood is hopefully shed during a breakup with a lover, job, or place, the sentiment remains the same: the hardest part is actually doing it. In ancient history, bloodletting was used as a treatment for various ailments, thought to help restore balance to a person’s body and temperament. When is the right time to call it quits? And how do we contend with following a feeling, knowing it will hurt someone?”
Check out the new single below, and expect The Curse of Caring to arrive June 13.
