Surrey-based trio Bacchanal are kicking off 2025 with a defiant scream rather than a whisper. Known for their potent blend of indie and grunge with flashes of prog and pop, the band are channeling their magnetic live energy into the studio with the upcoming release of DIY Lobotomy, a self-produced seven-track EP packed with grit, wit, and a chaotic sense of fun.
Drawing on influences as eclectic as football legend Eric Cantona and the spinning blur of carousels, Bacchanal—made up of Longman, Jefferson, and Morris—have made a name for themselves as a band who thrive on unpredictability. Since their debut in 2021, they’ve earned a loyal grassroots following through relentless gigging and a refusal to fit into any one genre box.
With DIY Lobotomy, the band trade extended jams for sharp, punchy tracks that still manage to pack in their signature complexity and bold personality. The EP swings from the anxious crescendo of opener ‘Face for Balaclava pt1’, to the jangly hooks of ‘Pillow Talk’, through to the moody intricacy of ‘SeeSaw’, all anchored by raw guitar fuzz, pounding drums, and melodic low-end grooves.
Lyrically, Bacchanal continue to push boundaries—tackling everything from existential dread to car insurance with both candour and satire. “We originally wrote the record last year,” the band add, “but ended up scrapping it; the songs were just too long. So, we went back to square one, aiming for shorter tracks and added a few extra tunes to keep things interesting. The EP explores themes of regret, love, debauchery, insurance claims & daydreams.”
Listen below:
