W: Jenny Gates. I: Francesca Basili & Maicol Guidetti 

NEW SINGLE 'COLD HANDS' OUT NOW

Italian post-punk pioneers Leatherette have announced the forthcoming release of their third album, 'Ritmo Lento' (which translates to "Slow Rhythm"), due out on November 28th via Bronson Recordings. The new record marks a distinct shift in pace for one of the Italian indie scene's most intriguing acts, born from a desire to "slow down, switch off the autopilot, and rediscover the essence of songs."

To herald the announcement, the band has shared their new single 'Cold Hands'.

'Cold Hands' is a study in purposeful contrast and sparse, yet vibrant, construction. Built around three essential chords, the track offers clear nods to contemporary shoegaze, alternating between skeletal guitars and more massive, churning moments. This dynamic tension is underscored by a stubborn toy flute ostinato, a detail that gives the track an almost self-ironic, fiercely adolescent character.

The result is a sound that passes quickly "like a fleeting thought, but leaves a persistent echo of sincerity and fragility." Lyrically, 'Cold Hands' explores the universal struggle of accepting the fading of feelings when logic and clarity can no longer fill the void left by habit.

The upcoming album follows an intense, captivating journey for the band, which has seen them establish themselves across Europe and the UK, playing major festivals and releasing two critically acclaimed albums: 'Fiesta' (2022) and 'Small Talk' (2024).

The initial previews of 'Ritmo Lento' suggested a band confidently pushing their own boundaries. Previous singles included 'Lovers Drifters Foreigners', an unpredictable blend of "punk viscerality and cosmic visions," and 'Hey There', a track that leans toward experimental minimalism, layering a fragile, intimate vocal over a solid, languid bass riff.

The album's title, 'Ritmo Lento', perfectly encapsulates its dialectic approach: the constant tension between frenzy and pause, neurosis and breath, and the desire to accelerate versus the urgent need to stop.

The full record is described as a collection of atmospheres that finds a perfect balance between catchy melodies, sing-along choruses, fuzzy cavalcades, and more reflective moments. This duality is even mirrored in the vinyl format, which is split into two distinct sides: six impetuous and immediately catchy tracks, followed by six denser, more meditative compositions, creating a unique sound-diary of the band's inner contrasts.

'Ritmo Lento' will be released on November 28th via Bronson Recordings.