Brixton’s The Here And Now have just released “Riptide”, and it’s worth talking about where this track sits in their trajectory. Having built their reputation through consistent gigging around London since 2020, there’s a sense they’re reaching for something more defined here.

The track wastes no time getting started. Jason Bond’s guitar comes in with immediate purpose, setting up the heavier framework that carries through the whole thing. Cherry Terzza’s vocals do interesting work here, moving between more vulnerable moments and full throttle intensity. It’s not groundbreaking as a technique, but there’s enough authenticity in the delivery that it doesn’t feel like a box being ticked.

Thematically, “Riptide” explores that familiar pull toward something you know isn’t good for you. The metaphor is pretty direct, which might feel a bit obvious on first listen, but sometimes that directness connects better than trying to be overly clever about it. Most people have experienced that feeling of being drawn into something destructive, so there’s relatability there even if the approach isn’t particularly subtle.

The rhythm section deserves mention. Rich Sackey Addo keeps the drums purposeful without overplaying, while Callum Lowe’s bass provides solid grounding that lets the other elements breathe when they need to. The production strikes a reasonable balance between polish and grit, though it leans slightly more toward the cleaner side than some might expect.

You’ll hear echoes of Paramore, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Royal Blood throughout, which the band isn’t really hiding. They’re pulling from those influences and trying to shape them into something that feels like their own. Whether they’ve fully arrived at a completely distinctive sound is debatable, but “Riptide” suggests they’re moving in that direction.

The track’s strength is its focus. It knows what it wants to be and commits to that vision. At the same time, it’s not reinventing the wheel. This feels like a band getting clearer on their identity rather than making a dramatic leap into new territory.

You can listen here.