Guildford- and Brighton-based alternative band Aqualine return with their single ‘Stupid Brain’. It isn’t often I borrow directly from press releases, but Aqualine describe the track as “The Bend’s era of Radiohead if they had a sense of humour”. I think that is spot on. It’s shoegazey, with that 90’s alternative grunge smear hiding underneath. Aqualine aren’t always straightforward alt rockers, though. They’ll happily veer into garage and hip-hop production to change the shape of their sound.
The single, which debuted in a BBC Introducing… session last year, draws inspiration from Pixies, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and Radiohead. It’s a blunt weapon that explodes from quiet moments of introspection into caustic bursts of guitars. The bursting chugs of guitars give way to a watery, drowning swirl of solos and drifting, distant vocals for the bridge and coda. It’s a squiggly line of stamping feet, slaps in the face, juxtaposed with self-soothing that is both catchy and reflective in its own way. Speaking about the single, Aqualine says:
“Stupid Brain is an anthem of self-frustration, capturing the feeling of being caught in a cycle of repetitive mistakes, insecurity and feeling like you’ve been spat out into adulthood without feeling ready. It explores the absurdity of the way we talk to ourselves internally.
The song’s blunt, child-like delivery reflects a playful tantrum against your own imperfections, while the sharp, stabbing chords channel the internal chaos…its repetitive, dynamic chorus represents the ringing cycle of toxic thoughts following you around, before the song takes unexpected twists and turns and arrives at an uplifting outro, hinting towards acceptance, resolution and finding a touch of self-compassion.”
The five-piece rockers are well known for their energetic live performances, and are touring the UK in November. ‘Stupid Brain’ is the first single since their 2025 EP ‘Tripwire’. The single is out now, but no known EP or LP release has yet been announced. For more information about future releases and tour dates, visit Aqualine’s linktree.
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