Ain’t

Ain't are a London-based quintet who deliver a masterclass in merging the dark, distorted corners of 90s guitar rock, post-punk menace, and shoegaze's lush textures. Formed with a collective vision to toe the line between the familiar and the unpredictable, Ain't features George Ellerby (Guitar/Vox), Ed Randall (Guitar), Hanna Baker Darch (Vox), Chapman Ho (Bass Guitar), and Joe Lockstone (Drums). Their sound, like a vivid collage, stitches together grunge grit, reverb-drenched guitar, and vocals that alternate between restrained menace and explosive energy.

Their debut single, ‘Oar,’ born from the tumult of the pandemic, captured a scathing frustration and disillusionment with authority. Baker Darch’s vocals, a juxtaposition of sedated sarcasm and seething rage, encapsulated the emotional push-pull of detachment and fury, a theme that feels all too relevant. The band's arrangement wraps listeners in both industrial intensity and ethereal, dreamlike soundscapes, like standing on the edge of a sonic storm, waiting for the skies to split.

With 'Teething,' Ain't delve into even murkier waters, crafting what they call “our creepiest song yet.” The track navigates the discomfort of unreciprocated attention, blending dark lyrical themes with a hauntingly beautiful, dissonant melody. It’s a fitting progression for a band who build their songs like shifting seasons—moments of calm interspersed with sonic outbursts, each release a fresh glimpse into their dynamic world.

They're definitely a band to watch.

They play Live At Leeds In The City on the 16th November.