With their new single “Sweet Foxhound,” Midwest gothic post-punk band The House Flies make a powerful return, delivering a track that is as hypnotic as it is unsettling. Following the success of 2024’s Mannequin Deposit, this release feels like both a continuation and an evolution—bridging the band’s established sound with the darker, heavier direction they are carving out for their next album.
From its first notes, “Sweet Foxhound” conjures a shadowy, cinematic mood. Layered guitars create an atmosphere thick with tension, while the pulsing bass and driving rhythm give the song a restless forward motion. It’s a composition that never sits still, always pushing, as if haunted by something just out of reach. The vocals drift in like ghostly echoes—measured, hypnotic, and haunting. Together, these elements create a track that is brooding but also strangely infectious, a piece that lingers long after it ends.
Originally written during the sessions for Mannequin Deposit and played live before being fully realized in the studio, “Sweet Foxhound” carries the DNA of the band’s earlier work while stepping into new territory. The addition of second guitarist Burnie Eckardt (of Dynoride) marks an important shift, expanding the band’s sonic reach. With Alex Riggen on guitar and vocals, Ozzie Woods on bass, and Nick Pompou on drums, the expanded lineup has found a way to deepen the band’s already dense sound without losing clarity. The result is a track that feels layered yet deliberate, heavy yet atmospheric.
The House Flies have always thrived at the intersection of gothic mood and post-punk drive, and this single sharpens that balance. Where Glimmer (their 2023 EP) introduced listeners to their dark and melodic sensibility, and Mannequin Deposit expanded their scope, “Sweet Foxhound” stands as proof of their growing maturity. It isn’t just another release—it’s a statement of where the band is headed: toward a sound that is longer, darker, and heavier, but also more refined.
One of the most compelling aspects of “Sweet Foxhound” is its duality. On the surface, it’s a moody, gothic track built on atmosphere. But underneath, the driving rhythm and restless energy pull it into something more visceral. This tension between floating and pushing, between dreamlike haze and post-punk urgency, gives the song its edge. It’s music for late nights and long drives, for moments when the darkness outside mirrors the one within.
The House Flies’ press kit hints that their next album will dig deeper into these themes, building on the heavy textures of this single. If “Sweet Foxhound” is any indication, listeners can expect a body of work that pushes their sound into new depths while keeping their melodic sensibility intact.
Set for release on September 16, 2025, “Sweet Foxhound” is more than just a holdover between records—it’s a haunting, fully-formed piece that demands attention on its own. For fans of gothic atmosphere, post-punk grit, and music that thrives in the shadows, The House Flies have delivered exactly what the moment calls for.
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