Working again with acclaimed producer Jamie Savage at Chem19 Studios [The Twilight Sad, Miaoux Miaoux], Glasgow’s wojtek the bear have released their new single ‘a long wait for bad news’. The song is the second of four singles being released by wojtek the bear during 2019, all of which will be collected on a limited edition 10” vinyl, ‘old names for new shapes’, in November.

‘a long wait for bad news’ is a twinkling light track that drifts along majestic instrumentation and sweet melodies as wojtek the bear present a melancholic yet uplifting number. Dainty guitar lines glisten and charmingly lament through the sombre soundscape as a steady beat and soft vocals cushion the track in smooth comforting tones. The track builds becoming more buoyant and uplifting as the chorus enters. The drums become more lively and spirited as the song approaches its crescendo before softening again for the melancholic end. Well crafted and richly textured ‘a long wait for bad news’ is a prime example of the emotive and beautiful musicianship of wojtek the bear.

Lyrically,singer Tam Killean explains his thought process, “I’ve been thinking a lot recently about smartphones, technology, and social media. In particular how they’ve affected all of us, how we interact with each other, how we feel about ourselves, and specifically my own relationship with them. The song deals with how I’ve struggled to restrict myself from these things in an attempt to walk back from the insidious, awful effect it can have on our self-esteem and mental health.” 

Stream ‘a long wait for bad news’ below