Track Of The Day: Okay, Bye – ‘Wasted’

An anthem that atones for the misspent time and energy directed towards saving a toxic relationship, Exeter-based “pastel punk” band Okay, Bye have shared their latest single ‘Wasted’. Informed by the band’s own experiences of living through such a draining connection, the track is full of relatable lyrics, thudding beats and raucous riffs.

Formed of Grace Harper (vocals & guitar), Abi Crisp (lead guitar, bass & backing vocals) and Tom Gilbert (drums), Okay, Bye released their second EP, Personal Hell, back in July 2020. Since then, the band have been busy playing live shows and working on new music, which comes in the form of latest single ‘Wasted’. The band re-frame their definition of love with the simple lyric “is that romantic / or is that just tragic?” – with Harper’s clear, yearning vocals reminiscent of Gwen Stefani’s during her No Doubt era.

“‘Wasted’ is the wake-up call we all wished we’d had in past relationships,” explains Harper. “It’s a cry of support for anyone stuck in a relationship with someone who drags them down; and an anthem of freedom for anyone who’s broken out of that. We want listeners to feel empowered and deserving when they hear this feisty punk banger – we all need to stop wasting time on those who don’t deserve us.”

Okay, Bye manage to push through these feelings of fear and apathy via garage-punk guitars and commanding beats, urging listeners to face up to the time they’ve lost and use the knowledge as motivation to move on and embrace a happier life.

Listen to ‘Wasted’ below.

 

Follow Okay, Bye on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate Crudgington1 Comment

Track Of The Day: Okay, Bye – ‘Bubble’

A relatable guitar tune about getting tangled in our own emotional safety nets, Exeter-based duo Okay, Bye have shared their latest single ‘Bubble’. Taken from their recent EP Personal Hell, which the band recorded, mixed and mastered in their home studio, the track is a buoyant slice of garage-punk designed to motivate listeners into pushing through their apathy and reconnecting with the world again.

“‘Bubble’ was ironically written before social bubbles or the pandemic came about,” vocalist Grace explains about the single. “It’s more fitting than ever in a time where we feel constant guilt for not checking the news and only feel worse when we do.” Okay, Bye have successfully channelled their confusions about switching off from the world into a cathartic few minutes of crystal clear vocals and fuzzy guitar sounds.

The song’s relatable opening line “When I read the news I just get upset / Or I feel confused and then I get depressed” epitomises the anxieties many of us are currently feeling, but there’s self awareness and reassurance once this ‘Bubble’ has burst. As Grace sings “I don’t want to let myself down / Don’t want to be a stupid girl / Don’t want to be patronised,” she holds herself accountable, with a vocal that’s reminiscent of No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani.

Okay, Bye’s desire to power through problematic times is reflected in their strong DIY ethos and their playful, thought-provoking tunes that provide a light distraction during these uncertain times.

Listen to ‘Bubble’ below.

Follow Okay, Bye on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment