Track of the Day: The Murder Capital - 'Return My Head'

Dublin band The Murder Capital have unveiled 'Return My Head', the final single to land ahead of their forthcoming second album Gigi’s Recovery.

'Return My Head' might be the most visceral of the singles released so far - acting as an immediate, direct slice of alt-rock that delivers both aggression and melody paired to a lyrical motif that slots firmly into the sense of reinvention surrounding the album as a whole.

"I had to realign, To begin, To survive," the track opens before moulding into explosive rock riffs and raw vocals from James McGovern, describing the need to regain control during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

McGovern explains further on the themes: “Return My Head was written in a place of pure frustration, feeling like our sanity had been unwillingly removed through periods of isolation. All I wanted at this point was to get my head back, and to throw it away again. But on my own terms. ‘Return my head, and throw it to the crowd’”

The band have shared a video directed by the band's own Gabriel Paschal Blake. Recorded on a camcorder, it's the first self-directed set of visuals from the band, with bassist Blake having the following to say about the making of the video:

"I wanted to show the rag dolling that can occur to us going from one state of being to another, while always remaining being the same person. The extensions of ourselves that we create to protect ourselves even when we’re alone, and the evident and necessary advice that we receive to continue following and perusing our passions from our friends and family, demonstrated by my own family friends Megan, Nic, Ruairí and Pump.

To me, ‘Return My Head’ is the desire to return your mind to a place of peace and stability, and the belief that to do so, is possible. We shot it in my old secondary school recreational hall. We produced it ourselves. At its best to me, the narrative of the ‘Return My Head’ about coming back to a safety."

Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with The Murder Capital in our next issue.

Check out the new video below.