Otala - 'Patchwork'
Alternative quintet Otala returns with 'Patchwork,' an exhilarating new single that showcases their growing sonic ambition and cements their unique space in the UK music scene.
Released under Lil Chop Record Shop, 'Patchwork' serves as the second preview of their forthcoming EP, Fire! To The River, due out February 20, 2025. The track kicks off with a tension-building drum roll, setting a dramatic tone that quickly blossoms into an engaging jazz-rock rhythm. Known for their genre-blending style, Otala pulls listeners into a hypnotic swirl of intricate melodies and unpredictable progressions, in a testament to their knack for balancing coherence with daring experimentation - taking cues from post-rock, ambient, and even dissonant elements.
The track weaves together fragments of the Nottingham-formed band's history with a fresh, forward-thinking twist. As they explain, 'Patchwork' was initially a song they considered letting go of, but a rediscovery through an old live video led them to reimagine it. The result is a meticulously crafted track, refined in collaboration with producer Nathan Ridley, whose influence helped Otala sharpen the song’s rough edges and direct it toward a bolder, more energetic sound. This refined version is a true embodiment of the EP’s overall direction - more vivid, dynamic, and unrestrained.
The single follows the September release of 'Everything but the Hate', which established Otala’s resistance to genre boundaries. Their music fluidly shifts between tonal contrasts, blending dissonance with melody and narration to create something both challenging and accessible. 'Patchwork' continues this trajectory, making Otala an increasingly notable name in the alternative scene, bringing a fresh energy to a genre landscape often hesitant to explore such contrasting styles.
Otala’s commitment to live performances will bring 'Patchwork' and other tracks from Fire! To The River to stages across the UK, with a string of live dates scheduled, including a headline show in London and an appearance at Bristol’s Outertown Festival in April 2025. This single, alongside their upcoming tour, is sure to draw even more attention to a band that’s proving hard to ignore.
Words by Gemma Cockrell
