North Wales trio ‘Bau Cat’ return with their most vibrant and emotionally charged release to date – ‘Silver Bangle’, out now on Libertino.
A rush of jangling guitars, soaring harmonies and unstoppable energy, ‘Silver Bangle’ is Bau Cat at their most magnetic. Blending Motown girl group sparkle, 70s power-pop punch, and the melodic edge of 90s alt-pop, the track pulses with life, legacy and fierce individuality. It’s a glittering anthem of joy, resilience, and unapologetic self-expression, a song that remembers, resists, and refuses to dim.
What began as a jam built around a hypnotic bassline evolved into a defining moment for the band. “It had this driving ‘Barracuda’ vibe,” says vocalist and bassist Abby Butler. “Then Jim brought in the guitar melody, which inspired the vocal hook: ‘Hand me down a bangle that jangles, wear it on my right side.’ From there, everything just clicked.”
Drawing inspiration from The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las, through the melodic spirit of Big Star, the raw immediacy of The Lemonheads, and a flash of Galaxie 500’s emotional candour, ‘Silver Bangle’ feels both nostalgic and vital. There’s even a glimmer of Paul McCartney’s Ram-era playfulness in the layered vocals and effortless melodic confidence – a track that sparkles on the surface yet cuts deep beneath.
At its heart lies a story of legacy and love. The song was inspired by Abby’s Nan: “an outgoing, immature, tough-as-old-boots Scouser who’s lived her life to the absolute fullest,” Abby shares. “She literally comes to every single one of our gigs, she’s a total character. She had this silver bangle on her wrist for 47 years and never took it off. One night at a gig, she handed it to me and said it was mine now. It was such a symbolic moment, and it just felt right to centre the song around her energy, joy and refusal to be dulled by life.” That spirit, bold, funny, heartfelt and defiant, surges through “Silver Bangle”. Its back-and-forth vocals, surf-licked guitar lines and shimmering production form a sound that’s both instantly catchy and deeply human.
Recorded live in one take with producer Steffan Pringle (Adwaith), the song captures Bau Cat’s chemistry in full technicolour. Every harmony, every jangle, every beat bursts with the thrill of a band alive in the moment – urgent, intimate, and effortlessly cool.
‘Silver Bangle’ isn’t just a song it’s a statement. A celebration of living with heart, humour and defiance, and a reminder that joy itself can be an act of rebellion.
