The much-anticipated nu-gaze band Split Chain from Bristol released their eagerly awaited debut album "motionblur" on July 11, 2025!
On the occasion of the album release, the band has released a music video for the new single "SPIT," about which bassist Tom Davies says:
"‘SPIT’ is the most personal song I’ve ever written. It’s a deeper dive into my own issues and a confrontation with my mental health."
The link to SPIT is as follows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgcvN1kwG7c
Tom Davies further explains:
"I lay my emotions on the table for people to see, hoping that revealing them would be the first step in my healing process. At the time, I wasn’t aware of it, but like most people with addiction issues, I used my alcohol consumption as a crutch for the nonsense going on in my head. When I stopped and put that crutch down, many of those latent issues I had ignored came to the surface. ‘SPIT’ is about describing my inner struggles as well as being a catharsis. And it’s also a reminder that despite the nonsense that sometimes goes through my head, I am strong enough to overcome it and do amazing things."
Frontman Bert Martinez-Cowles on the release of the band’s debut album: "‘motionblur’ is finally out. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. Whether you’ve streamed our music, supported us behind the scenes, or come to the shows and bought merch, we are and will always be thankful. We poured our hearts out and put everything we could into our first album, and we really hope you all are as excited about it as we are. This is for those who grew up differently, who struggle, who feel like they don’t belong, and for everyone going through something. Things will get better, and you will become who you are meant to be.
As a unique statement, "motionblur" is "an album that tells you it’s okay to be your authentic self," says Bert. "This is the story of what we’ve been through, and this is the story of who we are today. You either let the things you’ve experienced define you, or you choose a different path. You can be whoever you want to be. If there’s one thing I hope people take away from this album, it’s that."
Described by Bert as "a coming-of-age story," the album channels the conflicting fears, excitement, joy, and pain of growing up and discovering the true self. "motionblur" represents a narrative that reflects both the personal experiences of the members of Split Chain and the shared experiences of the past dizzying years.
The album features hints of the quintet's beloved Deftones, Superheaven, Narrowhead; bursts of nu-metal and touches of shoegaze. But emo, grunge, and metal influences can also be recognized. "motionblur" is at once a nostalgic homage to the cultural touchstones of the 90s and early 00s while sounding exciting and vibrant.
For Split Chain themselves, motionblur is another bold step into the unknown that they could only dream of a few years ago. The Chain, as they say, does what they want. The key, according to Bert, is to place their trust in their ways, their DIY ethic, and the purity of their creative vision, which has served them so well, to organically and authentically pave the way forward.
On the occasion of the album release, the band has released a music video for the new single "SPIT," about which bassist Tom Davies says:
"‘SPIT’ is the most personal song I’ve ever written. It’s a deeper dive into my own issues and a confrontation with my mental health."
The link to SPIT is as follows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgcvN1kwG7c
Tom Davies further explains:
"I lay my emotions on the table for people to see, hoping that revealing them would be the first step in my healing process. At the time, I wasn’t aware of it, but like most people with addiction issues, I used my alcohol consumption as a crutch for the nonsense going on in my head. When I stopped and put that crutch down, many of those latent issues I had ignored came to the surface. ‘SPIT’ is about describing my inner struggles as well as being a catharsis. And it’s also a reminder that despite the nonsense that sometimes goes through my head, I am strong enough to overcome it and do amazing things."
Frontman Bert Martinez-Cowles on the release of the band’s debut album: "‘motionblur’ is finally out. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. Whether you’ve streamed our music, supported us behind the scenes, or come to the shows and bought merch, we are and will always be thankful. We poured our hearts out and put everything we could into our first album, and we really hope you all are as excited about it as we are. This is for those who grew up differently, who struggle, who feel like they don’t belong, and for everyone going through something. Things will get better, and you will become who you are meant to be.
As a unique statement, "motionblur" is "an album that tells you it’s okay to be your authentic self," says Bert. "This is the story of what we’ve been through, and this is the story of who we are today. You either let the things you’ve experienced define you, or you choose a different path. You can be whoever you want to be. If there’s one thing I hope people take away from this album, it’s that."
Described by Bert as "a coming-of-age story," the album channels the conflicting fears, excitement, joy, and pain of growing up and discovering the true self. "motionblur" represents a narrative that reflects both the personal experiences of the members of Split Chain and the shared experiences of the past dizzying years.
The album features hints of the quintet's beloved Deftones, Superheaven, Narrowhead; bursts of nu-metal and touches of shoegaze. But emo, grunge, and metal influences can also be recognized. "motionblur" is at once a nostalgic homage to the cultural touchstones of the 90s and early 00s while sounding exciting and vibrant.
For Split Chain themselves, motionblur is another bold step into the unknown that they could only dream of a few years ago. The Chain, as they say, does what they want. The key, according to Bert, is to place their trust in their ways, their DIY ethic, and the purity of their creative vision, which has served them so well, to organically and authentically pave the way forward.
