"I counted to ten // Just like you said // It comes round in circles // So now where? // I spaced out my breath // I wound the cassette // I waited forever for the end..."
The parallel dark nuwave universe and alt pop pulls of "Darkness", by Brighton and South London (UK)-based duo CATBEAR, is utterly magnetic in it's sort of 80's retro visions and stellar pop prowess. Like found footage from 1982 "Darkness" feels artfully, psychically adjacent to outfits like Cocteau Twins, The Human League, Slowdive while retaining a beautifully constructed chorus that kills in terms of it's ear worm factor. I absolutely love how pop forward the chorus is, the way the words rush ahead of the synth laden cadence is gorgeous and totally sing-alongable. I also love Zoe Konez and Sarah Smith's DIY aesthetic, top to bottom from songwriting to home studio recording / engineering and production. "Darkness", in the end, is a magnetic blend of darkwave, synthpop with post punk / romance wave leans and absolutely gorgeous vocals.
"So take another look into the darkness
You will find meOut there
Take a little walk into the darkness
Come find me
Out there"
The track was produced by Zoe Konez in her home studio, written during a period of deep reflection. That rawness seeps into every sound, carrying both intimacy and scale.
"It's about navigating those darker moods and finding the strength to keep moving," says Zoe.
Catbear's second album For Now, For Ever arrives Oct 24th
https://soundcloud.com/catbearmusic
https://www.youtube.com/catbearmusic
https://catbear.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/CATBEARmusic
https://www.facebook.com/catbearmusic
https://x.com/catbearuk
https://catbearmusic.com/
CATBEAR is the alt-pop project of best friends Zoe and Sarah, shaped by the indie, synth-pop and electronic sounds of the 80s, 90s, and 00s. Their songs explore the emotional landscapes that keep us up at night - joy, anxiety, heartbreak, longing and hope - with a sound that moves between bright pop melodies and darker, moodier textures.
The pair began making music together in a rehearsal room in South London, initially playing DIY gigs and house parties before shifting focus toward synths and bigger production. Their first single, Beast of the Night, arrived in 2018 - a reflection on the self-destructive highs and emotional aftermath of the party lifestyle. Since then, CATBEAR’s sound has evolved across shimmering synth-pop, indie guitar lines, and cinematic synthwave - from the longing of Girl Crush to the moodier pulse of In The Night.
Their debut album, Into the Light, gathered together the singles that shaped the first chapter of CATBEAR. With 2023’s I Choose Love, the duo entered new territory - lyrically and sonically - exploring LGBTQ+ themes and darker, post-punk and darkwave influences. Subsequent singles have moved between upbeat indie pop and dreamy, immersive synthscapes that hint at an expanding creative vision.
Live performance has become a growing part of CATBEAR’s identity. After opening for ARXX and touring the UK with The Subways in 2023, the duo began to develop their live sound with intention - adapting their studio productions into something that thrives in the room and feeds back into their writing process.
Their music has reached listeners around the world, with millions of streams and a growing fanbase drawn to their blend of nostalgic soundscapes and emotionally direct lyrics. They’ve performed at festivals including The Great Escape and Bristol Pride, and shared stages with artists such as The Human League and Ladytron. Support from Arts Council England and Help Musicians has allowed them to continue building momentum, independently and on their own terms.
Everything CATBEAR releases is written, recorded and produced by Zoe, with artwork, merch, and even packaging sent out from her home in Brighton. It’s hands-on and completely theirs - from studio to stage to your doorstep.
Catbear, alt pop, dream pop, 80's music, electronica, alternative indie, postpunk, darkwave, synthpop, London UK, duo of Zoe Konez and Sarah Smith, DIY aesthetic, sophomore album "For Now, For Ever", single "Darkness",
LINER NOTES: (excerpted, bracketed):
[It feels like the soundtrack to a drive through empty city streets, or the inner world of an anti-hero, and fans have already likened it to "The Cure scoring the film Drive" and "Robyn gone goth".
The track was produced by Zoe Konez in her home studio, written during a period of deep reflection. That rawness seeps into every sound, carrying both intimacy and scale.
"It's about navigating those darker moods and finding the strength to keep moving," says Zoe.
Darkness is the next chapter leading up to CATBEAR's second album For Now, For Ever (Oct 24). With over 4.5 million Spotify streams, past BBC Introducing support, and a headline Brighton show on Oct 11, the duo continue to build momentum with their ever-growing international fanbase. Fans of darkwave and alternative synth-driven music like Depeche Mode and Twin Tribes will find plenty to connect with here.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://soundcloud.com/catbearmusic
https://www.youtube.com/catbearmusic
https://catbear.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/CATBEARmusic
https://www.facebook.com/catbearmusic
https://x.com/catbearuk
https://catbearmusic.com/
CATBEAR is the alt-pop project of best friends Zoe and Sarah, shaped by the indie, synth-pop and electronic sounds of the 80s, 90s, and 00s. Their songs explore the emotional landscapes that keep us up at night - joy, anxiety, heartbreak, longing and hope - with a sound that moves between bright pop melodies and darker, moodier textures.
The pair began making music together in a rehearsal room in South London, initially playing DIY gigs and house parties before shifting focus toward synths and bigger production. Their first single, Beast of the Night, arrived in 2018 - a reflection on the self-destructive highs and emotional aftermath of the party lifestyle. Since then, CATBEAR’s sound has evolved across shimmering synth-pop, indie guitar lines, and cinematic synthwave - from the longing of Girl Crush to the moodier pulse of In The Night.
Their debut album, Into the Light, gathered together the singles that shaped the first chapter of CATBEAR. With 2023’s I Choose Love, the duo entered new territory - lyrically and sonically - exploring LGBTQ+ themes and darker, post-punk and darkwave influences. Subsequent singles have moved between upbeat indie pop and dreamy, immersive synthscapes that hint at an expanding creative vision.
Live performance has become a growing part of CATBEAR’s identity. After opening for ARXX and touring the UK with The Subways in 2023, the duo began to develop their live sound with intention - adapting their studio productions into something that thrives in the room and feeds back into their writing process.
Their music has reached listeners around the world, with millions of streams and a growing fanbase drawn to their blend of nostalgic soundscapes and emotionally direct lyrics. They’ve performed at festivals including The Great Escape and Bristol Pride, and shared stages with artists such as The Human League and Ladytron. Support from Arts Council England and Help Musicians has allowed them to continue building momentum, independently and on their own terms.
Everything CATBEAR releases is written, recorded and produced by Zoe, with artwork, merch, and even packaging sent out from her home in Brighton. It’s hands-on and completely theirs - from studio to stage to your doorstep.
Catbear, alt pop, dream pop, 80's music, electronica, alternative indie, postpunk, darkwave, synthpop, London UK, duo of Zoe Konez and Sarah Smith, DIY aesthetic, sophomore album "For Now, For Ever", single "Darkness",
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