FM-84 is back! Today they’ve released “Bend & Break” — their first since announcing in November that the transatlantic project would be an official duo after years of flirting with the concept.
On their first single since 2017’s “Never Stop,” Colin Bennett and singer Ollie Wride have crafted a massive, cinematic pop cut that recalls arena- and stadium-minded acts like Tears for Fears. It’s a cut befitting their status as one of the best live shows in synthwave.
At its core, “Bend & Break” taps into the dreamy spirit and human connection of Atlas hits like “Running in the Night” and “Don’t Want to Change Your Mind,” but the duo aren’t content to rest on their laurels.
They’ve ramped up the soaring quality of their musical and lyrical compositions, giving us even more memorable synth hooks and a chorus you’ll be singing long after the music stops: “I bend and break, break down/ Should’ve known you better better by now/ I bend and break, break down/I’m trying to say that we’re caught up in the sound of this.” Josh Dally, who has collaborated with Timecop1983 and FM-84 in the past, lends his axe chops to round out a sound befitting an act of this scale.
FM-84 are playing two dates in London this year (so far). One, on Feb. 16 at The Garage, is sold out, but tickets are still available for their May 26 show at the Electric Brixton.
“Bend & Break” Lyrics
Every moment’s
Like a step unknown
To finding both our function
We could burn out
Like our heroes’ ghosts
But that’s a chance worth taking
Leave all reason at the door
Coz the writing’s on the wall
The sunshine’s gone
Maybe it’s too soon to call
But we’ve both been here before
So I’m waiting on
No our music it ain’t done
Coz I found our revelry
On the highways, in the dancehalls
That filled our history
So can you hear me now?
Gonna tell you where I stand
There’s got to be some way
To lift you from this place
I bend and break, break down
Should’ve known you better better by now
I bend and break, break down
I’m trying to say that we’re caught up in the sound of this
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
I’m not losing in the danger zone
The city lights my thinking
I would stand and face down every blow
Coz your a chance worth taking
Leave all reason at the door
Coz the writing’s on the wall
The sunshine’s home
Maybe it’s too soon to call
But we’ve both been here before
So I’m waiting on
I bend and break, break down
Should’ve known you better, better by now
I bend and break, break down
I’m trying to say that we’re caught up in the sound of this
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
No our music it ain’t done
Coz I found our revelry
On the highways, in the dancehalls
That filled our history
So can you hear me now?
Gonna tell you where I stand
There’s got to be some way
To lift you from this place
(Chorus Repeat)
If we could turn all our fears into toys
We could start this again
If we could turn all our fears into toys
We could start this again
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
I’ll bend and break
(Source: FM-84)
(Note: Vehlinggo first covered FM-84 in March 2015, when the project was just Col Bennett.)
