French rockers Harsh release their second album Feels in July through Fireflash Records, trailed by a run of singles from the Paris four-piece.
Latest is ‘Forever Yesterday‘, which the band describe as a love story that collapsed under the weight of past scars. Torn between nostalgia and the desire for redemption, it pairs a bluesy banjo riff with an unexpected ballad atmosphere, a bittersweet journey through regret and hope. You can watch the video here at RAMzine.
Before it came ‘Don’t Mess With Me‘, built on a striking guitar riff carried across two contrasting moods to mirror the duality of its central character. The band call the chorus both a warning and a plea, a fierce, all-or-nothing kind of love. Earlier single ‘Back To Life‘ tells of someone struggling to feel again after the darkest moments of their life, setting melancholic verses against a luminous chorus to explore numbness, healing and support.
Formed from a deep friendship, Harsh revive a traditional hard rock sound with a modern twist and a flair for theatrical, emotionally sincere live shows. The Parisian band feature Albert Arnold (lead vocals and guitar), Séverin Piozzoli (guitar and backing vocals), Julien Martin (bass and backing vocals) and Léo Löwenthal (drums and backing vocals).
Their 2022 debut Out Of Control led to more than 300 shows, including tours alongside The New Roses, Anvil and former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes. For Feels, they enlisted Kissin’ Dynamite frontman Hannes Braun to mix and master.
“Working with Hannes Braun is kind of a dream for us,” said Arnold. “We love Kissin’ Dynamite’s music and sound, and Hannes knows exactly how to get the best out of each of our tracks.”
The album’s lyrics draw on what the four members live through and the stories they hear. “We explore a variety of feelings, simple ones such as falling in love or breaking up, but also mixed emotions that are harder to express,” they said, naming guilt, identity, grief and, above all, friendship.
As for what comes next: “Our next goal is to make Feels as unforgettable for others as it is for us, and we can’t wait to meet our community around the world.”
Harsh live in the UK
- 31 July, The Garage, Glasgow
- 1 August, The Auld Gambling Hoose, Alloa
- 15 August, Savfest, Coalville
