Astroid Boys “Fallback” On New Track.
Throwing out the rulebook once again, Cardiff-born Astroid Boys make a hard-hitting return with their unique blend of grime and rap with a DIY punk twist on new single, ‘Fallback’, and its striking visuals.
Finding pockets in-between a plethora of genres, the track is a fiery reincarnation of youth culture: culturally aware and artfully produced, it underscores the raw nature of grassroots hip-hop and the urban surroundings that the group’s music was born from.
Signing to MTA Records at the tail-end of 2015, the collective’s producer Dellux (whose solo work has been championed by The Fader and The 405) is currently talk of the town in the house world for his genre-defying vision – and having provided incomparable creativity on ‘Fallback’, it is clear to see why. Lyrically, vocalists Traxx and Benji Wild spit a streetwise cautionary tale inspired by “being in situations with people you don’t wanna be in”: a story all too familiar with Benji, whose recent incarceration now has him focused on turning his life around.
An anomaly in the music industry from their inception in 2013, Astroid Boys carry the flag for heavy UK hip-hop with their sharp lyrics and undercut rhythms, as exemplified in their startling debut ‘Bacon Dream’ EP. Following its success, the Clash-approved collective found themselves touring with the likes of Professor Green and Lethal Bizzle, whilst their second EP, ‘CF10’, charted at number 3 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart; rivalled only by releases that week from Drake, Tyler The Creator and Kendrick Lamar.
Now sitting firmly on the ones-to-watch pedestal with backing from Stormzy (Beats 1), Radio 1’s DJ Target and Huw Stephens, Astroid Boys have always been known for their visual work. Exploring the darkest depths of their hometown, in ‘Fall Back’’s video the camera follows the hardcore pack in their most natural habitat: “We didn’t take anything too seriously and vibed a local warehouse with the gang. We just wanted the video to be an interesting watch from start to finish, so we held back on the urge to make something obscure and confusing”.Yet it is in their chaotic live performances where the faction truly comes alive: “Testing new music with the crowd is a fundamental part of our writing process, seeing how people react to certain sections and taking that back to the studio. It’s very organic, to the point that our fanbase have helped shape the band.”
To support the single’s release, Astroid Boys will be touring throughout May and June, kicking off at The Great Escape in Brighton on May 21st before hitting London, Amsterdam and Leeds alongside stop-offs in Belgium and Holland. Also billed for Slam Dunk, the band will end the tour at X Music Festival in Cardiff on June 3rd.
Built around brash lyrics, DIY production and a jackhammer beat, ‘Fallback’ is a fitting example of this emerging outfit’s eclectic taste in music and street smarts, proving their output is as refined and relevant as it is rough and ready.
The band has also announced the following UK and EU date, including The Great Escape Festival in Brighto, Slam Dunk, IX Festival and Koko in London!
21st May The Great Escape Brighton UK
24th May Yplas Cardiff UK
25th May Koko London UK
26th May 02 Ritz Manchester UK
27th May Garage Glasgow UK
28th May Slam Dunk Festival Leeds UK
29th May Slam Dunk Festival Birmingham UK
30th May Slam Dunk Festival London UK
31st May Enginge Rooms Southampton UK
1st June Trix Antwerp BE
2nd June Melkweg Amsterdam NE
3rd June X Music Festival Cardiff UK