Burglar share new single ‘Star-Crossed’
The Irish alt-rockers’ undeniable chemistry shines bright on their infectious new single.
Photo: John Harding
Irish alt-rock newcomers Burglar have come crashing into our ears with their fuzzy, infectious new single Star-Crossed. The Dublin based group consists of friends Eduardo Pinheiro and Willow Hannon both on vocals and guitars. It’s impossible not to get swept up into their infectious vocal blend as they mix and trade lead vocals. It’s the sort of chemistry that just can’t be manufactured. It isn’t something that’s heard as much as it’s felt.
That isn’t the only thing that makes Burglar so interesting though. Their musical backgrounds have just the perfect crossover without lacking the necessary friction to shape songs that sound simply electrifying. Lyricist Pinheiro was raised on music from his native Brazil, namely the garage and punk music of the 1970’s onwards that South America is so famous for. Meanwhile, Hannon was raised on pure indie bedroom pop, and on Star-Crossed we really get to see those two influences come crashing together.
Burglar previously dropped their acclaimed single Lovey in January of this year, however Star-Crossed really does take things up a notch. It’s an ode to being impatient and taking things back into your control. Lyricist Pinheiro says that he’s “sick of right timings, and seeking inner-truths” and that “I’m impatient, I’m afraid of the future, and all I’m trying to say with this song is that you don’t need big changes and reinventions all the time.” The song’s music certainly reflects that anxious charge, the guitars and the synths are dirty, direct and driven. The melodies come pouring out of it and harken back to the brazen yet hooky melodies from Dear You era Jawbreaker.
Musically, it takes us back to the classic era of 90’s indie bands like The Smashing Pumpkins with just a little bit of a more emo-tinged band like Sunny Day Real Estate. Pinheiro and Hannon’s guitar playing is a total whirlwind to get caught up into. The drums are an absolute riot. They sound like they are constantly fighting an ever-changing battle with themselves. They give the song a driving momentum and their chaos offers the perfect contrast to the more melody-driven guitars and vocals.
In the end, Burglar are all about contrasts. Whether it’s the clash of their musical influences, the push and pull of their dual vocals or the battle between chaos and melody, Burglar have all the necessary friction to make music that sounds truly exciting. If Star Crossed is Burglar’s call for us to quit waiting around for our lives, then I can only hope that means it won’t be too long until we hear from them again. I certainly don’t want to have to wait for that.
Star-Crossed is out now via TULLE.
