By Izzy Hurcum
Hailing from Dublin, four-piece alternative rock band Bleech 9:3 recently released their much-anticipated self-titled debut EP. After forming in unconventional circumstances, the band have become well known within the indie scene, gaining a cult following thanks to their intense live shows in small venues where sweat is quite literally dripping from the ceiling by the end of the first song.
‘Jacky’ kicks things off dramatically with a surge of chaotic noise which builds into a catchy chorus. The melodic sounding chorus is an earworm, though it is combined with heavy lyrical themes and a grungy edge which makes for a bold opening to a debut EP. It ends abruptly, with every instrument cutting out before moving onto the next track, ‘Underrated’. The bassline is one you can feel deep in your chest and meshes well with a guitar riff that, when played live, will undoubtedly have your ears ringing for hours afterwards.
The EP slows down as we flow into the third track, ‘Cannonball’. Frontman Baz Quinlan’s vocals take on a moodier approach, and he is able to showcase his vocal ability throughout the song between the gravelly tone in the opening verses and the drawn-out shouts that emerge as the song progresses.
“Am I too late to notice, that I might be in too deep” Baz sings, and from the first line of ‘No Surprise’, it’s clear that this is a lyrical cry for help. The brooding lyrics showcase a mix of hurt, vulnerability, and self-reflection, themes that have been the backbone of each song so far. It’s a standout track for sure.
‘No Surprise’ is the most recent song to be released by Bleech 9:3 from their self-titled EP. Credit – Bleech 9:3
First released as their debut single back in October 2025, ‘Ceiling’ wraps up the 16-minute EP. Starting slowly, Baz’s vocals drone through the first verse with just a simple guitar present in the background but it soon makes way for a hard-hitting burst of guitars which drives the song towards it mosh-worthy climax. The intensity of the song mixes with dark lyrics about addiction and vocals that linger hauntingly long after the three-minute runtime ends.
In just five songs, Bleech 9:3 are able to show that they already have solidified their sound, something rare for an up-and-coming band. They have made it clear that they are not a band to be ignored, and if they’ve managed achieve a cult following in just seven months, who knows where Bleech 9:3 could end up next.
Music Journalists Izzy Hurcum, Freya Hoare and Leah Simons discuss the issue of artists being constantly compared to each other and whether it is limiting growth.
