THE FRONT ROW

Some songs grab you straight away. You Don’t Need A Sun Tan doesn’t just grab, it picks you up, spins you round, and tells you exactly why Krooked Tongue are becoming one of the UK’s most exciting rock outfits. On first listen, it’s all slick guitar fuzz, swaggering basslines, and drums with real bite. By the fifth spin (and trust me, you’ll hit five without even realising), it’s something more. It’s a postcard from a past you recognise, folded into a rallying cry for your future.

This is the Bristol trio in full stride. Built around a punchy, almost mantra-like chorus, Sun Tan is a track about home, change, and that weird liminal space where comfort meets claustrophobia. You know the one, your hometown hasn’t changed in a decade, but neither have some of the people stuck in it. Vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford captures that tension perfectly: “Meeting up with your old mates, getting leathered at the pub… nothing ever really changes and it’s a double-edged sword.” It’s not angry. It’s not even sad. It’s just true. And it hits all the harder for it.

The real genius here is how that honesty is wrapped in such an addictive sonic package. Produced once again by Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw, Mother Vulture), the track leans into that gritty alt-rock energy that’s always been Krooked Tongue’s sweet spot. There’s a nostalgic punch to the tone, like a summer evening out gone slightly off-kilter, but it never slips into pastiche. Think Queens of the Stone Age meets Catfish & The Bottlemen, with just enough modern polish to keep it sharp.

Lyrically, the song’s packed with gems. Lines like “Leave it alone, the nightclub budget cologne” and “The small town temple you own” are deliciously specific and cinematic. It’s clear Rainsford’s pen has only sharpened since the band’s Deathproof EP. But it’s the final section, “See you around, I’m gonna steal the world”, that flips the track from introspective to inspirational. This isn’t just a shrug at the past; it’s a sprint toward the unknown.

It’s also a track that proves Krooked Tongue understand the power of pacing. You Don’t Need A Sun Tan doesn’t rush to the hook — it builds. The verses are deliberate, almost conversational, letting the lyrics breathe over tight instrumentation before that chorus comes crashing in. Dan Smith’s guitar work is thick with texture but never bloated, while Harry Pritchard’s drumming drives everything forward without ever feeling frantic. It’s the sound of a band that’s spent time refining their craft, both in the studio and on stage, and now know exactly when to hit and when to hold.

And that’s exactly what makes this track land. It isn’t trying to be an anthem, but it might just become one anyway. There’s no pretence here. Just three guys crafting big, hooky, emotionally smart rock music with an undercurrent of defiance. You Don’t Need A Sun Tan might be a commentary on the weight of home, but its ultimate message is one of motion: pack your bags, even if you don’t feel ready. You don’t need permission, or a plan, or even a sun tan. Just the courage to say “fuck it” and go.

Krooked Tongue are teasing a debut album set for early 2026, and if this track is anything to go by, it’s going to be a serious one to watch. With a publishing deal inked, a live roster in place, and a stream of strong releases already behind them, it’s not a question of if they break through, it’s when.