Album Review: Flyte – “This is Really going to Hurt”: modern break-up tale meets vintage sounds

The second full-length album release from London indie trio Flyte is a break-up story spanning the emotional spectrum of heartbreak- from reflective, bitter navel-gazing, to ascerbic pot-shots aimed squarely at ex-lovers. Recorded in Los Angeles, This is Really going to Hurt has a definite, old-school California sound in its infusion of folk and introspection. It is a simmering lament, inspired in large measure by the ending of vocalist Will Taylor’s eight-year relationship.

Acoustic guitar-led prelude Easy Tiger plays out soft yet bitter – a cautionary message delivered in Taylor’s hazy vocals. The rhythms of Losing You swing to and fro like a love-hate relationship, whilst the lyrics rock back and forth with an anguished ‘I don’t think I’ll get used to losing you.’ I’ve Got A Girl, written about the 2019 departure of Flyte’s keyboardist, Sam Kerridge, plays suitably jabbing keys alongside lyrics tinged with black humour: ‘We were your biggest fans/Now we want our money back.’

Flyte adequately convey feelings of venom and stories of toxicity in their beautifully flowing folk. The production is pleasingly raw and at certain times allows wistful harmonies to emerge from the bleakness, such as in Everyone’s a Winner and There’s a Woman. The steady pace and climbing vocals of Under The Skin makes misery almost triumphant. Trying To Break Your Heart is a glam-rock singalong that leans forward from the stage and sings earnest words of revenge into your face.

This Is Really Going To Hurt successfully echoes an assortment of bygone styles. And in the midst of the vintage soundscapes is woven the highly-evolved toxicity of modern relationships. Mainly it works, when all the ingredients hit right.

Listen to This is Really Going to Hurt here – out now through Island Records