Manchester’s Square Wild have never really sounded like a band interested in staying in one lane. Building on a foundation of prog rock and punk, they have spent years blending influences from a variety of genres, including funk, ska, dub and reggae, to create a sound that is uniquely their own. And somehow, it works.
With their latest single, ‘Kill the King’, taken from their upcoming debut album, they throw another curveball. The eclectic approach is still there, but this time they have opted for a more robust sound, and this is no accident. ‘Kill the King’ sounds different to anything the band has released so far, being more forceful and matching the song’s highly political content.
At its core, ‘Kill the King’ is pure, high-octane progressive rock with a hard rock soul. The influence of Rush is clear to see, particularly in the way the song is put together and how it keeps pushing forward without letting up. However, the guitars take it a step further here, sounding heavier and more abrasive, deliberately setting the track apart from earlier songs.
And then there’s Lucy Shevchuk. Honestly, she’s hard to ignore. There’s a warmth to her voice that recalls Anneke van Giersbergen, but also a raw, unfiltered edge closer to Alison Mosshart (Dead Weather). It’s what allows the band to move across styles without losing their identity. On a track recorded in a single take, that intensity feels completely right.
Lyrically, ‘Kill the King’ doesn’t leave much room for interpretation. It takes direct aim at the systems that control us, from fast-fashion empires built on exploitation and beauty standards designed to make us feel inferior to a political establishment that smiles while doing the opposite of what it promises. Lines like ‘little fingers that bleed and whisper’, ‘glorify suicide’ and ‘spend, spend, spend’ don’t try to soften the message although they don´t need to. The anger speaks for itself.
At a time where remaining silent increasingly feels like turning a blind eye, Square Wild are here to remind us that we must take a stand and get involved. They were already showing promise, but this single marks a clear step forward for them. Hopefully, the album isn’t far behind.
Upcoming gig:
09/05/26 – Ey Up Mi Duck Festival. Old Bank End Farm, Finningly, Doncaster
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