Following on from the releases of ’Is This It?‘ and ‘Bloom’ – Hamartia’s most lyrically positive and self-affirming singles in recent years – the four-piece has chosen to channel any remaining negativity into ‘Synthetica’ – a three and a half minute warning to anyone who is using badly rehearsed, performative feminism to take a stand, but only when it suits them.

Produced by Joe Hamilton (Periphery, LOSTT), Synthetica’s switch from aggressive riffs to huge, swaying choruses encapsulates Hamartia at their very best. Lyrically, it’s dark, moody, and reminds some specific individuals that they can talk all they like – we all know what sort of person they truly are behind the mask.

On the inspiration for Synthetica, vocalist Sophie Smith said “It came from pure frustration. I’m tired of how the responsibility always falls on women to call out misogyny and sexism, and to somehow be the ones expected to fix systemic issues. It’s about the men who wear feminism like a costume, rehearsing all the right lines while quietly dismantling the outspoken women around them who pose a risk to their fictional peace.

“The danger is in the performance, in never quite knowing if they understand the harm, or if they enjoy it. I’ve always believed that what goes around, comes around. Some lessons just take longer to land.”