‘Sabre Tooth’ the second single from Joss Worthington sees the artist and Mercury Prize nominated producer sharpen his bold cinematic pop aesthetic further. 

‘Making Sabre Tooth was a wild journey for me both creatively and psychologically. I was trying to understand and express a manic state that I’d found myself in some years back in the vain hope of reaching some kind of spiritual catharsis. In that crisis I briefly experienced a sharper sense of reality that was both electrifying and terrifying.’

That kind of weight comes across clearly in the song but at the same time the song doesn’t weigh you down.

“Despite some of the heavier lyrical themes ‘Sabre Tooth’ was mostly a joy to make. Especially as it allowed me to take a trip through some sonic territories I’d not previously explored. I was really inspired by the documentary ‘The Potential Of Noise’ on legendary producer Conny Plank as well as going back to listening to the big grunge records of my youth. The fun part of making records for me is trying to synthesise far flung elements from disparate sources in subtle ways’

Worthington’s penchant for blurring musical boundaries and fusing kaleidoscopic textures results in ‘Sabre Tooth’s ultra vivid landscape. Dream-pop meets cinematic indie, grunge blends with electronica and alternative pop expectations are subverted by underground ambient soundtracks and a futuristic folk rock.

Sabre Tooth is out now on Distant City Records