Steph’s DJ pick of the week is “Intrusive Thoughts” by Bear Hands
After a long hibernation, the bear returns with a new vibrant track for the summer.
The trio first appeared in 2007 with their EP, Golden, getting the attention of the underbelly of the New York post-punk scene. They continued to release several more albums and EPs, notably the 2014 album, Distraction, which achieved exceptional success. The group has toured with accomplished bands such as Twenty One Pilots, Passion Pit, MGMT, Weezer, and Cage the Elephant.
In 2019 the band released an album, Fake Tunes, and took it on tour. Yet after the tour, each member disappeared into their respective caves.
Lead singer Dylan Rau found his enclave on the coast of Oregon. There, he taught himself the art of being ordinary, the day-to-day mundane, but it turns out that’s just as lame as it sounds. Rau picked back up writing because he was, “bored of everything and feeling dissatisfied with everyone and everything around me.” Teaming up with bandmates Val Loper (bass), TJ Orscher (drums), and notable producer Elliot Kozel, the group reassembled in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Bear Hand’s new single, “Instruive Thoughts” is a nonchalant diagnosis of the toxicity of stagnation. Featuring a chorus of call-and-response “crowd/kid-pitched” vocals, deep house bass, and electric drums, the song feels like a fast car ride to afters. Without listening closely, you could completely miss the tone of the song. Rau goes as far as singing, “Can I maybe live a little” when the crowd responds with a hard, “No!”
The band has re-signed with their label Cantora, a promising sign for fans craving more.
Listen to “Intrusive Thoughts” by Bear Hands Below!
