Bristol’s rising nu-gaze force, Split Chain, have unveiled their latest single, ‘who am i?’—a raw and introspective look into the band’s personal struggles and collective identity. The track is the latest preview of their eagerly awaited debut album, motionblur, out July 11th via Epitaph Records.
Speaking on the song’s emotional weight, frontman Bert Martinez-Cowles reveals that ‘who am i?’ tackles imposter syndrome head-on: “We are all our own worst critics, and the song is about working to overcome and block out the noise, negativity and feelings of inadequacy that stems from within our own minds.” It’s a message of self-acceptance wrapped in the band’s signature wall-of-sound intensity—a storm of swirling guitars, aching vulnerability, and slow-burning defiance.
With motionblur, Split Chain aren’t just making a debut—they’re making a statement. Described by Bert as “a coming of age story,” the album filters adolescent confusion and existential turbulence through a blend of nu-metal crunch, shoegaze shimmer, and emo introspection. There are clear nods to Deftones, Superheaven, and Narrowhead, but Split Chain make the sound unmistakably their own. It’s a record born of chaos and clarity, one that surges with the intensity of self-discovery while staying grounded in community and conviction.
There’s a phrase that orbits everything Split Chain create: “The Chain does what it wants.” It’s more than a slogan—it’s the spirit of their project. Whether it’s their unpredictable creative process or their rapid rise in the alternative scene, the band operates on instinct, surrendering to the unpredictable pull of their own momentum.
As motionblur edges closer to release, the message is simple: you can be whoever you want to be. Whether you’re struggling with doubt or thriving in disorder, Split Chain’s music offers a place to feel seen—and to feel everything.
The Chain does what it wants. And right now? It wants the world to listen.
