The endlessly mercurial, maverick Bristolian quartet Phoxjaw release their debut full-length record, Royal Swan, via Hassle Records. Born from a cabin-fevered recording experience at Devil’s Bridge in Wales, Royal Swan harks back to a fantastical medieval England. Without being overtly political, Royal Swan also details the tension inherent in modern day Great Britain – the sense of isolation and resentment the United Kingdom has fostered versus trying to retain a sense of pride in one’s own country. Listen out especially for the title-track and opening track for this. To this end, and in classic Phoxjaw style, Royal Swan enlists a range of local musicians and sound-experiences, adding to the band’s core unique sound.
 
Devil’s Bridge Cottage leaves its mark on the record, fostering Phoxjaw’s claustrophobic recording experience and physically shaping the sound, with each band member recording in separate rooms (and guitars in an airing cupboard). Self-produced, with drums recorded by Lewis Johns, Royal Swan marks Phoxjaw’s step into the limelight following two highly respected EPs (2018's Goodbye Dinosaur... and 2019's A Playground For Sad Adults). A rare group who combine humour, quirk, intrigue, a huge range of influences, and power, Phoxjaw are a band who’ll never stop having things to say.