Here’s proof that a power trio can sound MASSIVE!
Song of the Day: “The Fly” by High Fade
If your main exposure to Edinburgh’s High Fade is through brief, algorithmically generated bursts of them absolutely shredding on a literal street corner, you might wonder if their lightning-in-a-bottle energy can actually survive inside a studio environment. Their 2024 debut, Life’s Too Fast, proved they could capture that raw adrenaline, but their sophomore effort, Twice as Nice, demonstrates something much more terrifying for other band’s rhythm sections: these guys are actually learning how to pace themselves. Recorded between Nashville and London, the album showcases a heavily touring power trio that has successfully figured out how to sound like a cohesive studio act without losing the raw, live wire instinct that got them noticed in the first place.
Twice as Nice is exactly what a sophomore record should be. It honors the frantic, DIY ethos that built their massive online following while proving that High Fade is fully capable of writing structured, emotionally varied songs meant for massive festival stages rather than just European sidewalks.
Musically, the record charts a fascinating evolution for frontman Harry Valentino, bassist Oliver Sentance, and drummer Heath Campbell. Where their earlier work relied heavily on relentless, hyper-speed funk loops designed to stop distracted pedestrians in their tracks, Twice as Nice pushes outward into heavier, darker territories. They aren’t just playing fast anymore; they are experimenting with broader dynamic ranges and grittier textures. There is a tangible injection of punk angst and classic, heavy-metal wall-of-sound energy here, contrasting nicely against the deep-pocket disco and funk grooves that form the band’s spine. It feels less like a collection of impressive street jams and more like a deliberate, genre-fluid statement from a band asserting their independence from major label constraints.
While the album moves effortlessly into the technical chaos of tracks like “The Fly” or the moody, Jim Morrison-esque vocal delivery on “Retro Inferno,” my SOTD choice from this tracklist is the album opener, “Swamp.” Talk about a statement of intent… This is how to start a record. The track kicks off with a filthy, sludge-soaked guitar riff that feels like a deliberate warning shot, before erupting into a monstrously heavy, blues-infused funk groove. “Swamp” beautifully bridges High Fade’s past and future by retaining the blistering tempo changes and infectious rhythm pockets that made them famous, but infuses them with a raw, grit-and-grime attitude that proves they are no longer just a pristine funk act. Valentino’s vocals hit with a new, swaggering confidence, and the track’s sheer, heavy-footed stomp justifies its spot as one of the record’s definitive high points.
The Song
Spotify:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/swamp/1889378815
The Album
Spotify:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/twice-as-nice/1889378814
The Band
Be sure to check out the Audio Toxicity 2026 Bad Music Detox Protocol (AKA a playlist of songs covered so far…)