W: Shelly Hill
NEW SINGLE 'FIX YOU' OUT NOW
Platoon is a four-piece collective consisting of school and university friends Marcus, Archie, Stan, and Tom. Primarily based in London, the group has spent the last few years cutting their teeth on the live circuits of London and Bristol. After years of road-testing their sound, they recently hunkered down in the basement of their shared student house to self-record and produce their debut EP, a project born out of both creative necessity and a gritty, DIY spirit.
When it comes to defining their sound, the band admits they struggle with labels, though they lean toward the "alternative" side of the indie spectrum. While their early singles were strictly indie, their musical DNA has evolved to include elements of folk, shoegaze, and punk. Inspired by the songwriting styles of artists like beabadoobee and This is Lorelei; Platoon aims for a "slacker vibe" that prioritizes melody and mood over technical perfection. They lean into a sound that is approachable and raw, moving away from the polished expectations of modern pop.
The band’s pre-show ritual is famously unglamorous, often revolving around a long-standing tradition of getting McDonald’s because it is the only thing all four members can agree on. While Stan admits this usually leaves them feeling a bit lethargic before hitting the stage, it speaks to the democratic—and sometimes indecisive—nature of the group. This habit of constant debate is one of their defining characteristics; they disagree on almost every creative decision, yet they believe this friction eventually leads them to the best possible outcome for their music.
The creative process within Platoon is a shifting landscape. Traditionally, one member would bring a solid foundation to the group to be fleshed out, but recently they have moved toward writing in pairs or small groups. This allows them to build songs from the ground up without anyone becoming too precious about a specific part. Their greatest strength, according to Archie, is their long-term friendship. Having been close for years, they know how to navigate the "sweaty practice room" tensions and "pathetic" arguments that naturally arise when four passionate people are chasing a shared vision.
Their new single, "Fix You," represents a significant turning point for the band. Featuring vocals from their friend Jess Hunter, the track is a stripped-back, intimate departure from their previous high-energy releases. Lyrically, the song is retrospective, exploring how people and relationships change one another over time. By keeping the song simple and the lyrics broad, the band hopes listeners can project their own lives into the music. Interestingly, they chose not to play this track live before its release, wanting to keep the "intimate" shift a total surprise for their fanbase.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, Platoon is preparing to level up. With their university studies finally behind them, the band is trading the student basement for a professional studio. They are eager to work with experienced engineers and mixers to bring their newer, more experimental ideas to life. With two songs already ready for the studio and several more in development, the band is moving out of the DIY phase and into a more focused chapter of their career, ready to see where their "slacker" melodies can take them next.