A new EP from shoegaze and indie-rock provocateurs BLEACH LAB in the form of ‘Close To The Flame’ is welcome news. RESOUND caught up with singer Jenna Kyle to discuss the first new music since 2023 album ‘Lost in a Rush of Emptiness‘.
Hi Jenna. With release day fast approaching, how are the pre-EP release nerves?
Hey! Feeling really excited, of course it’s the first release since our debut album so it’s a little daunting. But overall just really stoked to be getting more music out there.
How was this EP, ‘Close to the Flame’ , to write and record? Did you have it all done and dusted when first song ‘Drown’ was released last November or was that a stand-alone track that then shaped the identity of the EP?
The writing and recording process happened over a series of weeks and months. We took our time with the demo process to make sure we were going in the right direction with the songs. A lot of hours spent in Louis’ studio. We still weren’t totally certain what the final result of the project would be when releasing ‘Drown’ last year, but that helped clear things up a bit for us for sure and helped us develop the creative behind the EP.
Can you give our readers a short run through of the five songs on the EP? The title ‘Close to the Flame’ seems to encapsulate a common thread to your songs of broken or lost relationships.
Yes, to sum it up broadly, the EP explores heartbreak, falling out of love, feeling left behind and stuck, regret and self-reflection and the title itself is a metaphor. You stay close to the warmth and the light of something that feels right, but if you stick around too long or get too close, you’ll get burnt.
‘Drown’ is about being stuck in a toxic cycle, going back to the same person repeatedly no matter how bad they are for you, they just keep drawing you back in.
‘Feel Something’ is about being locked in a slowly dying relationship, whilst still being heavily dependent on each other. ‘In Your Arms’ is being so totally head-over-heels in love with someone who’s falling out of love with you and you’re trying to do everything you can to make them stay. The EP title track ‘Close to the Flame’ is about being in an all-consuming relationship, wanting to be absolutely everything to someone and the very reason they exist. Finally ‘If I Could Be Anything’, this was a challenging one to write lyrically as it’s quite deep and self-reflective. It’s about regretting an unchangeable choice, and just feelings of regret in life generally.
This has been the first recording with new guitarist Louis. Has the change in line-up changed the way you work and has the “new blood” pushed you in any unexpected directions?
Absolutely, we’re so glad to have Louis onboard. With his writing and production skills, he’s really helped shift us very slightly, but still manages to keep that core Bleach Lab essence. Having his studio is also a huge asset, and not one many are lucky enough to have. It’s been great to have a fresh pair of eyes and ears around to help give a different perspective on things.
You seem to be increasingly self-sufficient, Louis and Kieron produce the new EP, Kieron directed the video for ‘Feel Something’. How important is having that level of artistic control and vision to you as a band?
I don’t think we realised how much we wanted that artistic control until we had it. Don’t get me wrong, it comes with an awful lot of hard work and time spent. But in the end the results feel so much more ‘us’. This EP truly feels like our baby. So much love has gone into it from all aspects. Ultimately all the decisions fall to us as a band, without any other opinions to consider, which does make things easier at times.
Finally, what plans do Bleach Lab have for the rest of 2025. You have headline dates around the UK in November but any plans for another LP to follow 2023’s ‘Lost in a Rush of Emptiness’ ?
We’re getting our heads down in the studio again, back to writing and seeing what happens! Of course it’d be the dream to release a second album, we’re not there quite yet but it’s not out of the realms of possibility. We also have our UK tour in November, which we’re beginning to prepare for. We can’t wait to start touring these new songs!
Thank you! See you in the autumn!
Thank you!
Bleach Lab tour the UK in November 2025. Tickets from all the usual outlets.
The limited edition 10″ vinyl pressing of the ‘Close to the Flame’ is released Friday 18th July 2025 and can be acquired at https://www.100-percent.co.uk/collections/bleach-lab OR HEAD TO https://www.instagram.com/resoundonline/ TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING A SIGNED COPY!
Bleach Lab (IG: @bleach.lab)
Words and live photos by Geoff Shaw (IG: @gsmusicphotos)
Band photo by Alex Esden (IG: @alexesden)