Fiction Writer’s debut single ‘No Rumour’ is a fuzz-drenched, sass-filled stomper of a dance-rock tune. Squished guitars, sizzling hats and belting drums mince through a propulsive racket falling somewhere between Queens of the Stone Age and Death From Above, as his distinctive voice yelps of hurts and emotion.

The striking video for ‘No Rumour’ was choreographed by Richard House, dancer and choreographer for the Australian Ballet. The nourish tale depicts an uneasy parallel between dancers, each facet of their relationship a masquerade of ulterior motives.

The Sydney-based vocalist/guitarist and songwriter Gideon Bensen released a debut EP of experimental ‘80s influenced new-wave pop under his own name in late 2015.  He then departed from The Preatures in March 2016 and has been stealthily working on a brand new guise. Bensen has now drawn a stark line between both his previous band and self with his new band: Fiction Writer.

 ‘No Rumour’ was produced alongside Dave Hammer (Washington/Thundamentals) and mixed by Chris Collins (Middle Kids/Gang of Youths).  ‘No Rumour’ is the first track of the forthcoming EP on Puncture Records out now.

The Bedfordshire band have released their blistering follow-up to ‘Chemical Eyes’. A triumphant taste of the heavyweight synth-based electro that marks Akiva’s live sets, ‘M.O.D’ melds a strident musical backing to a fierce polemic on war, all brutal groove, pulsing analogue, fierce guitar licks and anthemic vocal. It is a song written about past events – namely the juxtaposition of the Ministry of Defence’s ‘Be the Best’ recruitment campaign and the funeral cortèges on the streets of Wootton Bassett – but, indicative of this Bedfordshire band’s unflinching take on the state of the world, seems increasingly relevant now, as the clouds of war gather.

“The lyrics reflect the hypocrisy of the political class sending the soldiers out against the public’s wishes, while simultaneously praising their bravery on national television,” explains frontman Dave MacKenzie. “They also highlight the pointlessness and futility of the deaths and trauma inflicted on so many soldiers.”

The stunning video, its narrative arc illustrating those lyrics’ passion and despair, is the work of Berlin-based British animator, Wayne McCauslin of the animation group Backyard Society. Wayne has previously worked on music videos for Crystal Fighters, Husky, Morcheeba and CHAMPS.

 ‘M.O.D.’ itself was recorded in Angelic Studios, Oxfordshire, before the sad death of its owner, and former Jamiroquai keyboardist, Toby Smith, earlier this year, and was produced by Jake Gordon (Skepta, Emeli Sandé, Everything Everything).