Sycamore Tree: Scream Louder
(Self Released)
Digital
Icelandic duo Sycamore Tree unveil the vibrant and anthemic new single Scream Louder. Brimming with musicality, catchy melodies and the band’s high octane, alt-rock tendencies, the track captures an accessibility and an authentic depth.
Opening with a wash of atmospheric synths, the track grows through a wall of tight guitars and rhythmic toms. Capturing a tone comparable to Beach House at its opening through Ágústa Eva Erlendsdottir’s haunting vocal delivery, the track lulls you into a false sense of serenity before bursting into the explosive chorus. A wall of distorted guitars, punching drums and soaring vocals bring an 80s rock flare to the soundscape as the words “Scream Louder” repeat with a visceral sense of intensity and pent up rage.
The track intensifies as swirling synths create a floating, airy backdrop that contrasts the sharp, biting guitar tones and brings a depth and width to the track. Transitionsitioning into an ethereal, hypnotic middle-eight, the track closes on a climactic and explosive final chorus. The powerful vocal performance, combined with the infectious energy and massive, stadium-filling sound—amplified by long-time collaborator Arnar Gudjonsson’s production—showcases the duo’s prowess as both songwriters and performers.
Thematically, ‘Scream Louder’ captures the essence of youthful defiance and the exhilarating quest for self-discovery, spinning a tale of two Icelandic teens who escape the drudgery of everyday life by venturing into the wild. Their screams, reverberating through Iceland’s vast, untamed landscapes, symbolise a desperate need to break free and find community in a world that often feels isolating.
Accompanied by a beautifully shot, cinematic, black and white music video, the single’s sonic grandeur is met with a video that is equally as striking
With a rich history of success to date, Sycamore Tree’s new single is a fine addition to their already glittering catalogue.
Follow Sycamore Tree
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All words by Simon Lucas-Hughes. More writing by Simon Lucas-Hughes can be found at his author’s archive.
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