Essex indie-rock risers Black Lounge today release their debut EP ‘Sweet Devastation’. It features the recent singles ‘Roommate’, ‘Sake Of A Laugh’, ‘Welcome Home’ and ‘Taxi’, which have collectively positioned them as ones to watch. Across the campaign support has come from BBC Introducing, The Line of Best Fit, Notion, This Feeling and more, while the band also played a rammed summer pop-up show at The Barfly. Listen to the EP ‘Sweet Devastation’ HERE.
Produced by Danton Supple (Coldplay, Suede) and recorded at RAK Studios, the six-track ‘Sweet Devastation’ introduces a band that excel across the indie/alternative spectrum, from uptempo, hook-heavy melodic firecrackers to more emotive, stylish slowburning material. And in vocalist/guitarist George Grant, they have a songwriter who can hone in on the universal experiences of twentysomething life: sometimes with full feeling, at others with a caustic sense of humour.
The EP’s focus track ‘Taxi’ is jangly acoustic indie-pop with a feeling of autumn melancholy and a story of misguided and unrequited love. Its video plays out that tale as it captures the band’s natural charm and a touch of their live experience. It was directed by Alex Bullock(Kokoroko, Stormzy, JVKC JAMES).
In addition to the four recent singles, ‘Sweet Devastation’ is completed by two brand new tracks. ‘Fate’ is an instant new highlight, building in intensity from its quiet acoustic introduction into a dramatic, full-band finale – an escalating mood that matches the surprise of finding new love, but also the fear that it is only fleeting. It ends more introspectively, with the title track full of hurt yet also providing the catharsis of moving on.
‘Sweet Devastation’ is the first culmination of George Grant’s journey with Black Lounge. Initially effectively a solo project, he redefined them as a band early in 2026 with the addition of Ben Gulik (lead guitar), James Ladds (bass) and Jack Cassidy (drums), providing the musicianship and character that can take them to bigger things. Sharing influences such as Wunderhorse, Arctic Monkeys, Geese and The Libertines, they have also played gigs alongside the likes of The Molotovs and The Clause and hit this summer’s Beautiful Days festival.
Building upon The Barfly pop-up and four London gigs last month alone, Black Lounge will celebrate the release of the EP by headlining The Old Blue Last on November 26th – tickets are available HERE. Their December dates will then see them return to The Barfly and play The 100 Club and the Shacklewell Arms
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