Photo by Rankin

bar italia have provoked accusations of being a part of a “dreamy malaise in post-pandemic alt-rock” epidemic, but “Fundraiser”, the highlight single from the UK band’s forthcoming album, Some Like It Hit, sounds like Nina Cristante, Jezmi Tarik Fehmi, and Sam Fenton are wide awake and ready to unleash some casual mischief across the streets, spray paint cans in hand. True anomalies even by indie rock standards, the listen again advances their secret weapon of theatrical shape-shifting — here, turning up to the scene of the crime already in full in motion as dance-punk darlings, with Sam Fenton puckering up through the dark with his wily snare only for Nina Cristante to answerback with a melodramatic kiss-off. “Don’t think I’ve actually met you / Not even in my dreams / There’s nothing dreamlike about it.” Contrary to title’s belief, this isn’t a charity case. bar italia earn every cent of their keeps here with their performance.

Directed by: Simon Mercer & bar italia

bar italia’s Some Like It Hot will be released October 17th on Matador Records.