KILL, THE ICON! is a band that is making waves with their upcoming debut EP 'Your Anger Is Rational', and the second single from the album, 'Heavy Heart', is no exception. This punk anthem is both catchy and powerful, tackling the serious issue of racism in a unique and creative way.
The band's signature sound is infused with disco drums and glam-rock synths, resulting in a track that is equal parts playful and cathartic. The lyrics are well-crafted and deliver a poignant message, shedding light on the fact that even though things may seem to have improved since the 70s, racists are still prevalent in society today.
In the 70s, the rise of the National Front and the BNP created a climate of fear and hatred that still affects society today. While we may think that things have gotten better since then, the reality is that racists are still hiding in plain sight, often found in positions of power within the government.
KILL, THE ICON!'s 'Heavy Heart' is a call to action for people to acknowledge that racists still exist and to confront the issue head-on. The song explores the concept of subtle racism, which can be difficult to identify but can be just as harmful as overt racism.
Speaking about his inspiration behind the track, Joshi states:
“ I was faced with racial slurs when I was younger, but nobody has uttered a racial epithet to my face for many years. But, I know the racists who existed in the 90s are still alive and well. They didn't die out all of a sudden, and neither did their ideas. So, the point of this song is that everyone acknowledges that racists exist. But nobody will ever admit to being racist - so where did they all go? My answer is that they all wear disguises: as politicians, right-wing journalists, and talking heads for shady think-tanks. The brazen racism has retreated into the shadows, and subtle racism has taken over.
Heavy Heart is a sardonic call-to-arms for racists: say it loud, say it proud. Come out of the shadows, and into the light once again where we can all see you. Subtle racism is a true scourge of our times, because it's impossible to point your finger at any given incident. It then makes you doubt your entire worldview, because you've not closed that feedback loop. So there's a generation of PoC living in marginalized communities in the UK who haven't been called a racial epithet, yet still they can detect rooms where something just feels off. Heavy Heart explores why that may be.”
Review by Thomas Imposter