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If there’s one new act poised to jolt the boyband panorama awake once more, it’s Absnt Thoughts – a five-piece collective rewriting what it means to be a pop group in 2025.
Mixing razor-sharp melodies with emotive-driven alt-pop manufacturing, the band has constructed a status for turning teenage angst, late-night confessionals, and stadium-ready hooks into one thing that feels each intimate and anthemic.
Absnt Thoughts – Wardrobe (Official Music Video)
Recent off a profitable run of summer season exhibits, and a string of single releases which have despatched their streaming numbers into orbit, band members Alex, Ashton, Conor, Freddie and Oscar step into our interview with the straightforward chemistry of a bunch that’s lived lots of life collectively in a brief period of time. They’re playful, centered, and – regardless of the whirlwind surrounding them – strikingly self-aware.
In a second when the world is hungry for sincerity and spectacle in equal measure, Absnt Thoughts is perhaps the uncommon band able to delivering each. We sat down with the 5 rising stars to speak inventive dangers, rising up on-line, and the dizzying actuality of discovering their place within the international pop machine.
2025 feels to have been an actual breakthrough for you – a yr the place you’ve actually come into your personal, and solidified your id as a band. Do you’re feeling extra established now, and extra assured in who you’re as Absnt Thoughts?
Alex: Undoubtedly. Once we first obtained collectively it took us some time to search out our id and sound as a band, however that’s solely often because we had been 5 people – from very totally different musical backgrounds – coming collectively, with no actual concept of what we had been doing (laughs). These first couple of group songwriting periods within the studio had been… fascinating! However I believe we’ve blended our particular person types collectively rather well, and now we’re making music that feels actually particular.
How do you assume your strategy to creating music has modified and developed during the last 12 months?
Ashton: It’s exhausting to say actually, as a result of I don’t assume we’ve ever labored to a set formulation. Each time we go right into a session, we by no means actually know what’s going to occur, and I sort of like that, it makes issues extra thrilling!
Oscar: We don’t at all times write collectively as a 5 as a result of that may be kinda chaotic… we learnt that early on (laughs).
Freddie: Like Alex mentioned, we’ve made a aware effort to mix collectively all of our totally different musical influences to create this large, eclectic Absnt Thoughts sound. However when it comes to how we write and create our songs, I assume it simply will depend on what temper we’re in, and what we’re feeling impressed by.
Ashton: Completely – inspiration can come from anyplace and in every single place, and that then kind of dictates how we work. Personally, I really feel like we’re solely simply scratching the floor of what we’re able to! Up up to now we’ve been actually centered on honing in on that cool, edgy pop sound, however shifting ahead I need us to push the boundaries even additional! There’s a lot extra to return for us music-wise; I can’t wait to get again within the studio subsequent yr.
How vital is inventive possession to you, particularly with regards to writing your personal materials?
Conor: It’s crucial. We completely love writing music – it’s one thing all of us actually having fun with doing, even once we’re not working.
Freddie: It’s a manner for us to specific ourselves isn’t it?
Alex: Yeah, and I believe it’s vital that we write about topics and matters that our followers can relate to.
Conor: Undoubtedly! It’s about making a connection isn’t it? The messages in our songs wouldn’t land in the identical manner in the event that they didn’t come from us, and our sound wouldn’t be as cohesive as it’s, if we didn’t have any inventive enter. Don’t get me fallacious, if somebody sends us an absolute banger, then we’re gonna report it and have enjoyable performing it, however I believe all of us like placing music on the market that’s private to us.
Ashton: Authenticity is vital!
Conor: As songwriters, we’ve actually come into our personal within the final couple of years, and that exhibits within the materials we’re producing now. We all know our strengths, each as a band and as people, and due to that, there’s sort of no stopping us.
With 5 voices and 5 views shaping Absnt Thoughts, how do you retain everybody creatively fulfilled with out dropping the thread of what the band stands for?
Oscar: That’s a extremely fascinating query! I believe it simply comes right down to respecting every of our wants, in addition to us all naturally sharing the identical imaginative and prescient for what we wish our band to be. All of us have very totally different roles inside the group – and we’ve found these roles naturally over time. We all know our voices, we all know how one can mix, and we all know what works greatest for us. A few of us are higher at writing lyrics, a few of us are higher at developing with melodies – like Conor mentioned, we play to our strengths. There’s no ego in our band, we wish one another to win.
Ashton: Generally the writers and producers we’re working with play a component in serving to us to search out that steadiness. Shout out to Kamille – she is wonderful! She actually took the time to hear, and perceive what we had been about. We bashed out 5 songs in our session along with her, and I actually assume that’s as a result of she made a degree of attending to know us earlier than we began writing collectively. We love Kamille!
Absnt Thoughts – STITCH (Official lyric visualiser)
Your newest single ’Sew’ is an absolute BOP! Speak to me in regards to the origins of that observe…
Freddie: We really wrote ’Sew’ with JC Stewart and Anya Jones manner again once we wrote ‘No Strings’, so we’ve had it locked away within the vault for a minute!
Alex: As quickly as we heard the completed model, we felt like we’d created one thing actually particular. However it didn’t actually match with the sound we had been going for on the time. We had songs like ‘Daylight’ and ‘No Strings’, which we thought had been actually good introductory singles, however ’Sew’ felt extra like an announcement we needed to make once we had been a bit extra established.
Connor: Everybody we performed it to cherished it, and we’ve been determined to place it out, however typically it’s important to look ahead to the fitting second to launch a track.
Freddie: Initially we thought it ought to come out in the summertime, however then as a result of it has extra of an autumnal, Christmassy vibe to it, so we thought we’d wait and reward it to our followers as a thanks for all of their help this yr.
The response to it on-line has been off the dimensions!
Ashton: Proper? The response has been wonderful! It’s at all times nerve-wracking placing out new music, particularly when it’s totally different to what you’ve launched prior to now, however the followers appear to essentially find it irresistible, so we’re tremendous completely happy! I believe there’s been somewhat little bit of a shift when it comes to what persons are anticipating from us, since we dropped ‘Simpatico’ in the summertime, as a result of that track is completely totally different to something we’ve ever launched. We’ve at all times mentioned one of the best ways to explain our sound is to think about what it will be like if Prince and The 1975 had a child (laughs). I believe that’s what these two tracks (’Sew’ and ‘Simpatico’) signify.
Oscar: We’re simply buzzing that it’s doing so nicely and that folks prefer it.
Two years into your profession, how do you measure and outline the success of a track now?
Freddie: I believe for us it’s all in regards to the followers, and in the event that they’re having fun with what we’re doing, then we’re completely happy – we belief them… and their style! Clearly streaming numbers are vital, and that’s how lots of people measure a songs influence now, however you may’t get too caught up in all of that. So yeah, simply understanding that different persons are having fun with what we’re doing, that looks like success to us.
Alongside your run of headline exhibits, you additionally performed some fairly large competition gigs this summer season. Is touring and performing reside one in every of your favorite components of being within the band?
Oscar: One. Hundred. %! All of us find it irresistible a lot! There’s lots of exhausting work and behind the scenes stuff that goes into being in a band like ours, and it’s not at all times fairly (laughs). However it’s so price placing within the hours and grafting, as a result of you recognize, should you’re fortunate, you’ll find yourself performing reside on a stage someplace in entrance of 1000’s of individuals – and nothing beats that feeling!
Ashton: Connecting with a reside viewers is wonderful! You’ll be able to speak to folks on-line, and kind a connection together with your followers that manner, and that’s cool, we love that – large up the Absntees who’re holding us down on-line! However assembly them in actual life, in actual time, and seeing first hand that what we do means one thing to them – that’s unimaginable!
With so many exhibits beneath your belt, which performances have meant essentially the most to you?
Oscar: This summer season we did a gig at Piece Corridor in Halifax, which is a venue not too removed from the place I grew up, so all my household and buddies obtained to return right down to see us which was fairly epic! The entire present felt like a dream – we had been encompass by all of this Romanesque structure, the gang had been wonderful, the solar was setting… it was a tremendous evening for us.
Conor: We had been supporting Olly Murs weren’t we? These gigs had been unimaginable! He’s such a stunning, pretty man! We stayed to look at his present just a few instances, and it was sensible!
Ashton: I used to be residing out my childhood; Olly’s obtained some bops! I’ve gotta shout out the Sugababes – we opened up for them too, and had the most effective time!
Conor: We performed Brighton Pleasure as nicely this summer season which was psychological – that present went off!
Ashton: Generally it’s the gigs the place issues go fallacious that develop into essentially the most memorable! I can’t bear in mind the place we had been, however one evening I utterly forgot the operating order of our present, and principally ended up re-ordering the entire setlist…
Conor: I nonetheless can’t consider you probably did that – you had been simply off in your personal world (laughs).
Oscar: We did college excursions again within the day, and there was one time I smacked my head on the door as we walked into the corridor the place we had been performing! The entire class simply began wetting themselves! It was humorous I assume… but additionally actually embarrassing.
I assume the fantastic thing about being in a band is that you simply at all times have one another to lean on when issues go fallacious…
Oscar: (Laughs) precisely!
Freddie: It’s mad as a result of rising up I by no means actually dreamed about being in a boy band, I simply needed to sing, so thought I’d perhaps simply do the solo factor. However understanding what I do know now, and seeing how the trade works, I’m so glad I’ve this lot round me, as a result of desirous about doing all of this alone freaks me out large time!
Ashton: Yeah, we’re positively fortunate to have one another.
It’s apparent how shut you all are. How do you retain that connection sturdy?
Freddie: The entire expertise of being within the band has bonded us in a manner that no one else can actually perceive, so naturally we simply get one another. However communication is clearly actually vital.
Alex: As a result of we reside collectively, we’ve the time to take a seat and chat about issues and see how we’re all feeling. We’re clearly totally different folks, however with regards to the band all of us have the identical objectives, and issues we wish to obtain. We have a good time our wins and we assist one another recover from any disappointments.
Oscar: When anyone wants a serving to hand or a shoulder to cry on, we’re there for one another 100%.
Absnt Thoughts – Particular (Official Music Video)
You’ve managed to create a extremely particular rapport together with your viewers, to the purpose the place they actually do really feel like they’re part of your tribe. How vital is utilizing social media as a device to take care of that relationship?
Oscar: I believe social media is a good device to must help your wider imaginative and prescient and goals, and sure it’s nice that we are able to join with our followers on apps like Instagram and TikTok, however nothing will ever beat the reside expertise. We love assembly our followers, and interacting with them in particular person.
Connor: It’s a extremely, actually good device to have to assist unfold the phrase about what we’re doing, and it’s a superb solution to present the entire the Absntees what we’re as much as on a regular basis, however yeah, like Oscar says, it’s significantly better to satisfy everybody IRL. It’s mad how issues have modified isn’t it? As a result of should you assume again to how the trade was, it was all about getting your self on TV, your image in {a magazine} and your track performed on the radio – that was actually the one solution to let folks know what you had been doing. And the one solution to see a band carry out reside was to purchase a ticket to one in every of their exhibits. Artists needed to go on the market, and persuade folks to do this! Then they’d one alternative to attach with a few hundred folks in an evening, earlier than the entire promo cycle started once more. Now, due to know-how, we’ve the flexibility to attach with hundreds of thousands of individuals world wide from the consolation of our houses, just about each time we wish… that’s sort of loopy isn’t it?
Your title was born out of feeling overwhelmed – from examination stress to the strain of continually being on-line – and also you’ve made it a mission to encourage your followers to free their minds and reside within the second. How do you practise that yourselves?
Ashton: Ooh, that’s deep… I believe it’s actually vital to relax and take outing for your self. Everyones lives are so busy and hectic, we’re all always on the go 24/7, so typically we don’t even realise we’re feeling sad or unhappy about one thing as a result of there’s a lot occurring to distract us. Speaking to family and friends at all times helps – to say one thing out loud might be liberating, to anybody studying this, please don’t ever really feel like you may’t categorical your self. Music can be a fantastic outlet for us to take care of something heavy we’ve occurring – it helps us to flee. I can’t say an excessive amount of about it, however we’ve really written a extremely cool track with Jamie Squire from The 1975 about this…
Conor: I’m fortunate I suppose, as a result of I discover it fairly straightforward to open up and discuss how I’m feeling, however I do know that’s not the case for everybody. It’s scary to speak about your feelings, however what I’ve kind of come to understand is that lots of the time, we’re all feeling frightened and anxious about the identical issues. So I do know that if I’m scuffling with one thing, there’s a excessive chance another person shall be too. I believe it’s vital to do not forget that.
Freddie: It may be fairly hectic and chaotic residing in Absnt Thoughts world (laughs) so having an excellent help system round us helps. We’re fortunate to have one another and to work with a fantastic workforce of individuals.
Oscar: Since beginning the band, we’ve all moved from our hometowns to London, which has positively introduced us all nearer collectively, we all know we are able to lean on every for something and every part.
Alex: Taking a breather, and doing one thing that I actually take pleasure in at all times helps me mentally – whether or not that be listening to music, writing down some lyric concepts, and even acting on stage.
Speaking of being on stage, you’ve obtained a few exhibits developing earlier than Christmas…
Conor: Sure! So we’re doing two nights at The Grace in London, and we can’t wait! They’re really going to be our final exhibits of the yr, so we’ll be giving it masses on stage. I’ve heard nice issues in regards to the venue so I’m actually excited to carry out there.
Freddie: Anybody coming alongside can anticipate good vibes, good music… perhaps even some new music, and lots of enjoyable. I’m actually trying ahead to it, I can’t wait to see the followers!
And earlier than that you simply’re going to Japan!
Freddie: I’m so enthusiastic about this journey! Going to Japan has been on my bucket record ceaselessly, so I really feel like I’ve manifested this.
Oscar: It’s loopy that we’re going! After I was youthful I at all times mentioned I needed to reside there I can’t say I knew quite a bit in regards to the nation itself, however I’ve at all times been fascinated by the folks and their tradition. I’m so excited.
Your music clearly resonates deeply with listeners, and the unwavering help of your followers exhibits simply how a lot the band means to so many individuals. Because the 5 people who make up this group, what does being a part of Absnt Thoughts imply to every of you?
Ashton: You’re gonna make us emotional… (laughs).
Freddie: Being part of this trade is one thing we’ve all needed since we had been youngsters – so to be really doing it’s mad! We’re grateful, we’re actually, actually grateful to be on this band.
Conor: For me, assembly the fellows has made every part about my life ten instances higher as a result of I do know I’ve at all times obtained somebody in my nook supporting me. The one factor all of us have in frequent is our love for music – I believe it actually unites each us, and our followers, and I like that we’re ready to do this as Absnt Thoughts.
Remaining tickets for Absnt Thoughts’s present at The Grace in London are on sale right here.
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