A Fresh And Honest Track From ILLICIFY

The latest single release from ILLICIFY brings out a very unique breed of honesty in the form of a track that crosses classic underground '90s alternative rock with hints of grunge, and this dark overtone that stays pretty consistent throughout the entire thing as it focuses on being a victim of narcissism and some of the fallout that comes with it.

Certain lyrics in this track give you the sense of someone waking up and realizing the lies and deceit that come with knowing, being around, or being in a relationship with a narcissist. A lot of us have had experience with this, and I can tell you firsthand that lyrically, some of these lines really hit the nail on the head and can articulate some of the emotional backbone and struggle that come with it all.

This is why the song has such an impact. It's detailed in its emotional backbone and descriptive in its lyrics so that you can really connect with it, especially if you can understand where it's coming from or have experienced that yourself.

A lot of people have struggled with this situation before, and it's hard for your average person to articulate any kind of struggle or emotional undertone into words, let alone words and music, so when you hear a song like this, you end up connecting with it in a very instinctive way.

They really laid all out on the line and don't build walls around the aggression, Sullen, or edginess that fall in line with all of the tension that comes from this sentiment.

You can feel that tension in the song itself, along with plenty of that aggression as well.

Now, this is just how I took the song, so others may interpret it differently, but for me, it was crystal clear.

"Narcisinstinct" comes with a heavy-handed melody and hook that's performed on the guitar, and follows it along vocally for the verses, and this is one of the first aspects of the track that really sticks with you.

They drill that hook in really well, and when the song's over, you find yourself humming that in your head on repeat. A lot about this track sticks with you, though, not just the melodies and hooks.

The guitar tones are spot on because they range from a gritty sort of dirty fuzz tone effect during those verses, to a heavier, grungier full-on driving effect during the choruses and pre-choruses.

The song is no problem exploding into certain elements of heaviness, and the way the vocals are balanced is genius as well. The vocals have more melodic singing that still bears a certain kind of alternative undertone, and then they're screaming that comes in when the more aggressive elements come forth.

This is another aspect of the song that showcases the tension and emotional push that come with the sentiment.

You also get elements of punk and other heavy rock aesthetics that come into play throughout the track, and I found it outstanding how they were able to blend all these sorts of heavy genres into one track seamlessly.

The song definitely gets its message across, it's hard, and it's performed with an energy that puts you right there in the moment.

I absolutely loved how the track was simply built with fewer boundaries than whatever you may be used to, so aside from just blending genres, it also lets loose lyrically and gets right in your face while the band enforces that with their energetic and electric performance.

There's something about the song that just feels alive and breathing.

I love a track that expresses as much as this one does, so it was impossible to turn away from, and I think we need more honesty and heavy music the way that this one portrays it.

It all has a certain rawness to it in terms of that lyrical content and energy, which, combined, make for something that showcases impact.

This was an awesome single and one that I would consider to be a testament for where the band is coming from sound-wise right now.

With the release of such a heavy-handed and brutally honest single, we wanted to have a chat with them to find out exactly what this is about and what may be coming up next for them.

While you listen to this single, take a read through of our interview with the band below, and don't forget where you heard it first.

Buzz Slayers: Let's talk about "Narcisinsinct"! This song certainly had a grunge and a cinematic alt-rock aesthetic to it, along with bringing a bit of a theatrical undertone! Where did this track come from? 

Kris: I’m going to let Kat answer because Narcisinstinct is her pet project, but my verse came from the experience of leaving a narcissist and having to still pick up the pieces while being painted as the villain

Luci DPG: When writing the drums for this, I wanted to do something that brought impact to the uproarious verse without fatiguing the listener or overpowering the rest of the instruments and vocals. The structure of the trio of cymbal hits, followed by a dance across the toms, gives that impact while leading into a more conventional drum pattern which allows the rest of the song elements to shine. 

Kat DPG: Musically, I wanted to write something that I felt packed a punch, something kids could two-step to. My goal is always to write something that people feel with their bodies as much as their hearts and minds. Lyrically, I wanted to speak to what it feels like to hold firm in the face of a narcissist. Just because they’re living in their own version of reality doesn’t mean you have to abide by it. 

Buzz Slayers: I'm hearing a few different approaches to this release! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Kris: Biggest musical influences for me right now are Fleshwater and Kittie. 

Luci: I think we all have some shared influences—bands like The Dirty Nil, My Chemical Romance, and Hole come to mind—but for me, the drums of Title Fight, PUP, and Knocked Loose are what inspire me to be more creative in my writing.

Kat: I’m really inspired by our friends in the local music scene, particularly bands like Sentiments from Manchester CT and Whitewood Drive, another New England area band. On a more national scale, I’m really into what bands like Pinkshift, Jigsaw Youth and Scowl are doing.

Buzz Slayers: Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?

Luci DPG: We had the pleasure of working with Pharaoh Recording Studios, which is a smaller, yet well-experienced studio in Connecticut. Pace is a fantastic producer and engineer, and his expertise helped guide us into making Narcisinstinct the best single it could be. 

Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as a band?

Kris: ILLICIFY started over mutual love for music and unrealized dreams of performing and pursuing music. 

Luci: Me and my sister Kat have been interested in making music together for a long time—we had a couple of small ventures in the past, but nothing that really caught on for us. When Kat met Kris and they formed ILLICIFY, I asked Kat if there was space for a third. We all met up to see how things fit, and the rest is history. I think that Kris' grounded focus really helps reel in me and Kat's flighty tendencies, which makes the whole dynamic work.

Kat: I swiped right on Kris on Tinder and the rest was history.

Buzz Slayers: Are you performing live right now? Any touring planned?

Kris: Yes, lots of live gigs but no tour (yet).

Luci: We are always performing! Right now we're taking some time to focus on finishing up some new material, but we have some really exciting stuff lined up for October, including a sick Halloween event that we're really amped to be part of.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, what's next for you?

Luci DPG: We're currently working on a new track that we're hoping to wrap up soon, so stay tuned for that! We also have some big shows on the horizon that we're really stoked about. The best way to stay in the know is to follow our socials!

Buzz Slayers: Who's in all your headphones right now?

Kris: The Sound of Animals Fighting.

Luci: Right now I've been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd and Turnstile, but I've also been digging a lot of blues lately—Albert King and Sam Mitchell are some names that come to mind. My music taste is pretty eclectic, so I'm rarely sitting on one artist for too long.

Kat: I’ve been digging PinkPantheress’ latest project, and the new singles from Unprocessed, I’m stoked for that album to come out. 

Buzz Slayers: What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

Kris: A song to burn your ex’s clothes to.

Luci: Expect something loud, unwavering, and a lot of fun.

Kat: Catharsis. 

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music? 

Luci: Thank you so much! Whenever people buy our merch, show up to shows, or even comment on our content, it means so much to us. Artistic endeavors are always a bit scary, which is why even a little support is so, so appreciated.

Kris: Love you rock angelz we have so much fun stuff planned for you!!!

Kat: It’s only going to get bigger and more bombastic from here. Stay tuned. 

Kat DPG, guitar and vox

Kris Bridges, bass and vox

Luci DPG, drums

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