Track Of The Day: Harkin – ‘Up To Speed’

Recorded with Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) and Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak & Bon Iver), Harkin‘s latest single ‘Up To Speed’ is a rolling, atmospheric tune that tries to appreciate the feeling of “going nowhere fast”. The track is lifted from her self-titled debut album, which is set for release on 24th April via Hand Mirror.

“I was a pest” sings Harkin at the beginning of the song, over buoyant riffs and steady beats, exploring the feeling of what it means to be constantly on the move. It’s a feeling Harkin must be intensely familiar with, as in addition to her own bands, she’s been a touring member of bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Wild Beasts, Flock of Dimes, and Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett.

Speaking about ‘Up To Speed’, Harkin explains: “[It’s] a song about going nowhere fast. I’ve been on the move for a long time now and I know it’s been something of a coping mechanism. It’s easier to feel like a tourist somewhere you actually are one. It’s about trying to convert a desire to escape into genuine propulsion rather than just a sprint into the void.”

Listen to ‘Up To Speed’ below, and follow Harkin on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Tomm Roeschlein

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut