Dublin-based The Innocent Bystander are known for their fearlessness in covering such difficult themes as isolation and distance. And now, they’re challenging the status quo again with their latest single, ‘We Are The Curious’, about the newest generation and their interests in complex topics like race, gender, and sexuality.

The Innocent Bystander grew out of member Mark Healy’s ambition to “make guitar music that takes nothing from the Blues”. Their music explores themes of isolation and distance but is animated by anger at the cruelties of modern life, and a passion for the endless possibilities of using music to talk about them.

Hot Press’s own Edwin McFee wrote that the band’s music, “will strike a chord with those who’ve struggled with small-town boredom and are driven by an undying love for ‘80s outsider pop”.

The Innocent Bystander have headlined three Whelan’s shows in the past year and played Bello Bar in May. They also recently supported Cut / Copy at the Button Factory and were slated to open for Broken Social Scene before their tour was cancelled.

Hot Press will be premiering ‘We Are the Curious’ on Monday, August 12. Ahead of that, the band have shared an announcement about the new single: