Alternative rock band Unicorn released their second single, “Cats”, a feel good song that takes you on a colorful ride. The band combines different influences to create a whimsical sound, from songwriter and guitarist Jenna Hardie’s powerful lyrics, to lead guitarist Doug May’s ethereal soundscapes, blended seamlessly with drummer Jess June’s grunge and classic rock influences, and brought together by bassist Ella Munro’s melody driven foundation. Heavily influenced by artists like PJ Harvey, Veruca Salt and Dresden Dolls, the band joined forces in 2020 and have been creating an unique sound that’s both exciting and dark.
“Cats” kicks in with a bang with strong, almost tribal drums, and a distorted guitar that hooks you in immediately. It’s a catchy song that morphs into a whimsical trip that grabs hold and surprises the listener on every corner. The track has several twists and turns, from the heavier intro to a poppy chorus, then a moody transition. In a way it could very well be three different songs, but the sound shifts are seamless, and carried together by Hardie’s vocals. The track feels more like a story that evolves into the final, uplifting ending. “Cats” blends in all four members’ influences, with a sound that at times feels very complex and psychedelic, reminiscent of bands like Tame Impala.
Written by Jenna Hardie back in 2016, the song comes from a time of big personal transitions, as she points out: “I think I was looking for my own tribe of people at the time. I was just getting back into music after a long break and was excited to realise that the friendships and musical mateships I had formed many years before, were still there – as illustrated in the lyrics ‘the broken birds and crazy cats are here to stay’. It is also a song about the interesting way that we, as humans, are drawn to certain people. And the celebration of that. The song takes you on a journey and the outro really does give a feeling of arrival and celebration. It’s a song about how we are stronger together”.
Check out Unicorn’s newest single below:
“Cats” is now available on all streaming platforms.
