Manchester power pop/alternative rock twin sisters duo Two of the Same are the brightest stars on the independent music scene in the city that prides itself on doing everything differently. Indeed, Harriette and Charlotte Robinson surely do their own musical thing in their own special way. Combining poetic lyrics with harmonized vocals and melodic alt pop, the girls are proving to be something truly special. Their fifth single, “Hidebound” released quietly on the 9th of August is surprisingly slow, grunge soaked and political.
“Hidebound” single cover is again a pictures from the girls’ family archives
In March, when I was reviewing their last single “Occupation”, I wrote that the girls have finally found their footing and sound as a band, brilliantly balancing between very radio friendly, heavy harmonized pop and cold Manchester alternative rock a la The Smith or The Stone Roses. The twin sisters had us waiting 6 long months for another song, but oh my god, this is hands down the best track they have ever written and released. “Hidebound” is still following the formula of neo-jangle pop meeting romantic coldwave/alt rock, but it is much more nuanced and sophisticated.
The song starts with a frantic guitar solo that suddenly comes to absolute silence. A fraction of a second later, that silence melts into a mode, semi acoustic, mellow beat with distinctive shredded, 3 tone arrangement on electric guitar and soft, slightly jazzy drumming. From The Verve type of psychedelia a la “Northern Storm” to “River of Deceits” by Mad Season in less than 15 seconds. Impressive.
“Hidebound” sounds more American than British. It is definitely grunge and post grunge inspired, not something completely new in Two of the Same repertoire, but fresh enough to be noticed. If you watch the video to the acoustic version of the song the girls shared on their Instagram, you will see their musical heroes proudly displayed on their walls and Alice in Chains (Jar of Flies era) is among them. I feel that this particular EP had a massive influence on the single. “Jar Of Flies” was recorded in 1993, sandwiched between “Dirt” and AIC’s self-titled album. Produced by Toby Wright, nearly all instruments on it were acoustic, minus one electric guitar and one jazz bass.
When I first heard “Hidebound”, I thought of Alice of Chains specifically. Their moody, bleak, heavy sound should have been a hard pill to swallow, yet it appealed to a wide range of fans: from blues and country listeners in Arkansas, to California surfers to death metal aficionados in Tampa, Florida. I don’t doubt that “Hidebound” will appeal to an equally diverse demographic in the United kingdom in 2025. Judging by the comments online, the band’s friends (twenty year olds) and Gen X-ers like myself absolutely love the song.
The bands photographed by Gracie Hall
There is a lot to like in “Hidebound”. The twin’s voices carry an uncanny emotional clarity. Their tone, range and mannerism is very similar and it creates a hauntingly beautiful echo chamber that is evocative and touching at the same time. Guitars are slow, yet in a strange way bright, the mood is darker but not devoid of hope. The song is rich and deep – gritty guitars meet catchy, energetic hooks and extended passages and atmospheric intimacy – all perfectly mixed and produced by Luke Owens (SHADE, Laurie Wright, The Falls).
I mentioned that the song is political. It deals with the theme of youthful innocence crashing against the coldness and wickedness of the adult world. The girls sing “everything changes when you turn 18” and they couldn’t be more right. It’s not just the same overused motif of the young versus the old. We have to think of the song as a commentary of the latest events happening in this country. Listen to the refrain: “God, I hate this town for everything that it spits out and it feels so unreal. They say it’s good for us but I think it’s dangerous, the things we feel”. This is exactly how young people see the sad state of affairs. They absolutely hate that everything previous generations had will never be their own: houses, good jobs, stability. They look at the politicians that divide the communities and see past their lies.
Instead of a multicultural, equal and diverse society, they get air pollution, dirty lakes, climate crisis and inequality so big like never before. The austerity and cuts are presented as solutions to all future problems but it absolutely destroys the entire fabric of society. The kids should be at gigs, pubs, following their hobbies and falling in love but instead they fear “ the god, sex and violence”. And damn right. It’s dangerous because what they are going through, breeds aggression and hate against the world, the system, the billionaires. And if the anger reaches the boiling point, we will have street protests on our hands. A generation that is deprived of everything, will want to set the whole world ablaze, mark my words.
“Hidebound” is one of the songs that requires your full attention. It’s an unexpected right hook straight into your guts, but in a velvet glove. You don’t feel its impact upon the first listen, you simply enjoy the harmonies, the rhythm, the radio-friendliness of it all. But the more you listen to it, the heavier it gets.
Ladies – Jerry Cantrell would be very proud of you.
Two of the Same are: Harriette and Charlotte Robinson, Semi Adesegun, Same Byrne and Ed Warrington.
Please follow Two of the Same online:
https://www.instagram.com/two.ofthesame/
https://www.tiktok.com/@two.of.the.same
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5AH820JlmasyqE4zDqmZJw
“Hideabound” is released on all streaming platforms now.
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 