The House Flies return with “Derelict Crawl,” a track that takes hold of you through repetition. The Illinois four-piece works within a dark mix of post-punk, goth rock, shoegaze, and grunge, and their latest single feels particularly heavy on atmosphere. It does not rush to impress. Instead, it settles into a murky groove and slowly tightens around you.
“Derelict Crawl” also introduces the band’s upcoming second album, Lions and Ore, following their 2024 debut Mannequin Deposit. Alex Riggen handles vocals and guitar alongside guitarist Burnie Eckhardt, bassist Ozzie Woods and drummer Nick Pompou.
You may also like listening to: Playknow’s “Is It So Hard To Be Good” Is Synth Pop at Its Warmest
A Groove That Keeps Getting Heavier
The rhythm section is the backbone here. The bass carries a thick, repetitive pulse while the drums keep things steady and deliberate. Around it, the guitars build in layers—sometimes hazy and distant, elsewhere rougher and more abrasive. Plenty is happening in the mix, but the band never overcrowds it.
Riggen’s vocal delivery works because of how restrained it is. He sounds detached rather than dramatic, letting the weight of the instrumentation do much of the emotional work. The repeated “we don’t belong” becomes the track’s clearest anchor, gaining more meaning each time it returns.
Check out the latest news: Meet the 8 Bands Playing Bangalore Open Air 2026
The writing itself is fragmented. Images of dial tones, leather, bone, mist and changing seasons pass through without being tied into a neat narrative. It suits the song. “Derelict Crawl” seems more interested in capturing the feeling of alienation than explaining where it comes from.
No Easy Release
What lands is the patience of the arrangement. The House Flies allow quieter spaces to appear, only for the guitars to come back thicker and heavier. You keep expecting a huge release, but the song never gives you one in the conventional sense.
The restraint makes “Derelict Crawl” stick because it’s bleak without becoming theatrical, heavy without relying on sheer volume, and repetitive without feeling static. If this is the doorway into Lions and Ore, The House Flies are entering their next chapter with considerably sharper teeth.
Follow The House Flies on Instagram & X!
Check out our playlists here! Check out our YouTube channel for music reviews, playlists, podcasts, and more!
Promotional Disclaimer: This release was brought to you by a promotional campaign by the artist, PR, or management label
