Squid (band) explained

Squid
Origin:Brighton, England
Years Active:–present
Current Members:
  • Ollie Judge
  • Louis Borlase
  • Arthur Leadbetter
  • Laurie Nankivell
  • Anton Pearson
Landscape:yes

Squid are an English post-punk band from Brighton, England.[1] Consisting of lead singer and drummer Ollie Judge, guitarists Louis Borlase and Anton Pearson, bassist Laurie Nankivell and keyboardist Arthur Leadbetter, they are currently based in Bristol.[2]

Squid released their debut EP Town Centre in 2019 on Speedy Wunderground and have since released four singles on Warp Records.[3] [4] Their debut album, Bright Green Field, was released by Warp Records on 7 May 2021.[5] It received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Their sophomore album, O Monolith, was released in 2023 to similar acclaim.

History

Squid formed in Brighton, England in 2016.[6] They have cited Neu! and This Heat as influences.[2] In 2019, they released their second EP, titled Town Centre, to critical acclaim.[1] Town Centre was produced by Dan Carey and released on Speedy Wunderground. In March 2020, Squid signed to Warp Records and have released five singles with them as of April 2021.[4] They were planning on touring Europe throughout 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Taking advantage of lockdown, the band spent most of 2020 recording what would be their debut album, Bright Green Field, again working with producer Dan Carey. The album was released on 7 May 2021 and was promoted by three singles, "Narrator", "Paddling" and "Pamphlets".

Squid appeared at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2022, and appeared at Rock en Seine and Paredes de Coura festivals in August 2022. They replaced Viagra Boys at La Route Du Rock festival in August 2023.

Squid recorded their second album, O Monolith, in Wiltshire in early 2022, before releasing on 9 June 2023, once again with Warp Records.

In November 2024, Squid announced their third album, Cowards, would be released on 7 February 2025 with Warp Records.[7] [8] [9] [10]

Members

Current[3]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[11]
UK Indie
[12]
IRL
[13]
SCO
[14]
Bright Green Field
  • Released: 7 May 2021
  • Label: Warp
41935
O Monolith
  • Released: 9 June 2023
  • Label: Warp
34613
Cowards
  • Release date: 7 February 2025
  • Label: Warp
To be released
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

Singles

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbum
"Perfect Teeth" 2016rowspan="4"
"Terrestrial Changeover Blues (2007–2012)"2018
"The Dial"
"Houseplants" 2019
"The Cleaner"Town Centre
"Match Bet"
"Sludge"2020rowspan="2"
"Broadcaster"
"Narrator" 2021Bright Green Field
"Paddling"
"Pamphlets"
"America"rowspan="1"
"Swing (In A Dream)"2023O Monolith
"Undergrowth"
"The Blades"
"Fugue (Bin Song)"2024rowspan="1"
"Crispy Skin"2024Cowards

Music videos

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbumDirector(s)
"Perfect Teeth"2016Ollie Judge
"Clapping Music"2019Rutare Savage
"Sludge"2020Sludge/BroadcasterAli Amiri
"Broadcaster"Wieslawa Ruta
"Narrator"2021Bright Green FieldFelix Geen
"Pamphlets"Raman Djafari
"Swing (In A Dream)"2023O MonolithYoonha Park
"Undergrowth"Louis Borlase
"The Blades"Kasper Haggstrom
"Crispy Skin"2024CowardsTakashi Ito

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squid: Town Centre Review. Pitchfork . Pitchfork Media . 9 September 2019 . 17 June 2020.
  2. Web site: Squid to play work-in-progress new music on socially distanced UK tour . NME . 20 April 2021 . 3 May 2022.
  3. Web site: Squid Sign to Warp, Share New Song "Sludge": Listen . Pitchfork . 24 March 2020 . Pitchfork Media . 17 June 2020.
  4. Web site: Squid Unravel on New Single "Broadcaster" . Consequence of Sound . 20 May 2020 . 17 June 2020.
  5. Web site: Squid Announce Debut Album Bright Green Field, Share Video for New Song "Narrator": Watch . Pitchfork Media . 27 January 2021 . 28 January 2021.
  6. News: Ones to watch: Squid . The Guardian . 3 August 2019 . 17 June 2020. Rogers . Jude .
  7. Web site: Eede . Christian . Squid Detail New Album, 'Cowards' . The Quietus . 12 November 2024.
  8. Web site: Squid Announce New Album 'Cowards': Hear "Crispy Skin" . Stereogum . en . 12 November 2024.
  9. Web site: Squid Announce New Album 'Cowards' │ Exclaim! . Squid Announce New Album 'Cowards' │ Exclaim! . en.
  10. Web site: Squid announce their third studio album, Cowards . The Line of Best Fit.
  11. Web site: Official Albums Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company. 2022-02-22. Officialcharts.com. en.
  12. Web site: Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 Official Charts Company. 2022-02-22. Officialcharts.com. en.
  13. Web site: Discography Squid. irish-charts.com. 14 June 2023.
  14. Web site: Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100. 2022-02-22. Official Charts Company.
  15. Web site: 11 August 2020. Squid release 'Natural Resources' covers in aid of Bristol food bank. 7 May 2021. NME. en-GB.