thistle. have a new single, and Monster Energy deserves a writing credit.
The Manchester alt-rock trio dropped ‘pylon’ on 14 April via REX RECS, the third preview of their upcoming EP ‘backflip’, which arrives on 29 May. It follows ‘tied’ and ‘pieces’, the latter a fractured, synth-laced opener that drew early comparisons to Slint and earned the band coverage from Stereogum to Rolling Stone UK. ‘pylon’ takes a different angle: two and a half minutes of turbulent, hazy riffs that leave you wanting more before they’re done.
The story behind it is almost as good as the song. Written during a last-minute Cardiff rehearsal session before the band headed into producer Macks Faulkron’s REX Studios to track the EP, the trio found themselves fuelled by a beverage they’d rather not repeat. “Very much powered by Monster Energy,” they explained. “I genuinely credit the song to the energy drink. It’s not a drink we particularly enjoy but it was the only high-caffeine beverage available at the time. Do what you can, write what you can, when in Cardiff!”
‘Backflip’ Arrives 29 May, and thistle. Are Ready
‘backflip’ is thistle.’s second EP and their first full project since signing to REX RECS, the boutique indie label founded by Macks Faulkron, who recorded and produced the six-track collection at his REX Studios in late 2025. The trio, who have spent the past year building a live reputation through support slots with Rocket, Humour, and Man/Woman/Chainsaw, as well as regular BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music airplay from the likes of Steve Lamacq, arrive at this release as a band with something real to prove. It shows in the music.
A Heavy Live Calendar to Match
The band have a packed spring and summer ahead. A UK headline run through May takes in Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on 7 May, Moth Club in London on 15 May, and stops in Manchester, Glasgow, Sheffield, Bristol, and Southampton along the way. Festival appearances at The Great Escape, Bearded Theory, 2000trees, and Brighton Psych Fest follow through the summer.
APRIL
25 Concorde 2, Brighton (Beautiful Ones Festival)
MAY
7 Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
8 Rat & Pigeon, Manchester
10 SWG3 Poetry Club, Glasgow
11 Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
12 Rough Trade, Bristol
13 Volks, Brighton (The Alt Escape)
15 Moth Club, London
16 Joiners, Southampton
22 Bearded Theory, Derbyshire
JUNE
27 Circuit Break Festival, Northampton
JULY
11 2000trees Festival
SEPTEMBER
4-5 Brighton Psych Fest
‘pylon’ is out now. ‘backflip’ arrives 29 May on REX RECS.
