Promising a sonic journey reminiscent of acts such as Fleetwood Mac in their more folk-inspired era or Boygenius with their fuzzy guitars, ladylike, intricately weaves the landscapes of folk, post-rock, and psychedelia together. The quartet has skilfully crafted a mesmerising, slow-burn piece that draws parallels to the delicate reflections found in Big Thief’s work, seamlessly transitioning from contemplative moments to full-blown, powerful psychedelia with dramatic twists and turns.

The single employs a unique stream-of-consciousness approach to songwriting, shedding light on the mundane moments that define our existence. I hope to see this continue in the band’s upcoming work as the more conceptual and often evasive lyrics allow for an array of understandings. In a poetic exploration of the awkward nuances of life in one’s twenties, Lead vocalist and guitarist, Georgia Butler, shares that the song serves as an ode to the challenges of finding one’s place in the world during this transformative period. Its narrative unfolds abstractly, incorporating internal musings and anecdotes as the music evolves. As mentioned by Butler, “We weren’t entirely sure of the song’s intent until we’d finished it.” which I believe sets ladylike aside from their contemporaries.

Having established themselves in Brighton’s vibrant counter-culture scene since their formation in 2022, ladylike has meticulously honed their sound over 18 months through a series of dynamic live performances. This sets them apart from other groups which aim to rush out a single before having played at a single venue, ladylike know their sound and methodology, and I think this has paid off. Having performed with notable appearances at Triptych and most recently supporting ĠENN on the 13th of October. Impressively, ‘Southbound’ was recorded at Farm Road studios while being produced/mixed by the band’s own Spencer Withey, which I imagine allows them to showcase their distinct musical identity. 

Having recently featured on Crafting Room Recordings’ Brighton Sound 2023 compilation alongside local favourites like Hutch, Flip Top Head, and, ELLIS-D, ladylike has supported acclaimed acts including Divorce, The Paranoyds, Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, Rosie Alena, and ĠENN. Their presence at the Clunk Magazine stage during this year’s Alternative Escape further solidified their rising status.

Comprising Georgia Butler (Guitar, Vocals), Spencer Withey (Guitar, Synth, Backing Vocals), Archie Sagers (Bass), and James Ely (Drums), ladylike is set to self-release ‘Southbound’ on November 17th. The single launch show is scheduled for November 22nd at Brighton’s Green Door Store, followed by a performance at London’s The George Tavern with Dog Race on December 13th.