The Murder Capital swings the fire whip with “Can't Pretend To Know”

Last year, in frosty January, The murder capital released breakout album Gigi's recoverya weathered and scarred record full of grim wisdom that reveals the raw underbelly of Irish post-punk. While the album is still on repeat from here to Dublin, James McGovern and the boys have now reached 2024 with 'Can't Pretend To Know', a riotous whip crack that makes the group's neon grey sound shine even more.

Recorded in Los Angeles with producer John Congelton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten), “Can't Pretend To Know” twists and turns with a primal urgency throughout its less than three-minute running time. The Murder Capital's backyard sound is clear and stands out from the band's other songs, and that mood swirls here with a gripping kind of tension that's never guaranteed to reach a forgiving release.

“'Can't Pretend To Know' is a hard-hitting song that we crafted like a hurricane of color and breathlessness,” reveals McGovern. “A surreal look at childhood innocence and all its replacements, those delicate bridges we burn as we navigate the strange paths of our youth. Shaped by everything we come into contact with. Learning from toys. Playing the roles we're asked to play.”

The Murder Capital will be touring Europe in support of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, as well as playing a few dates in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Rumour has it that a North American tour is coming soon, and in the meantime, we'll never forget how the band's March 2020 show in Somerville was our last good time out before the whole world shits the bed.