BLACK DOLDRUMS: Repetition as an Obsession?

Black Doldrums’ new album, “Repetition Compulsion,” is set to be released on November 13, 2026. The London-based trio offers a first taste with the single “Repetition,” which clearly showcases the unbridled post-punk sound the band is known for. Kevin Gibbard explains: “The song came from the idea of challenging ourselves to write something centered around a single riff with a plaintive, dragging quality. At the same time, it fit the album’s theme and the idea of repetition, since we were actually experimenting with repetition musically. The first line—‘Is your mind split in two’—comes from our conversations during our many long walks through London, when Sophie talked about the psychological concept of ‘splitting.’ It seemed to fit so well with the song’s atmosphere and the album’s theme that it now opens both the album and our live shows. I consider it very much Sophie’s song, because she was the inspiration behind it. That’s also why her backing vocals are quite prominent, to create that two-part vocal effect. Later, I had the idea to have Sophie simply lip-sync the first line in the video—after all, it’s her line anyway.”

Watch the video for “Repetition”: