Phytö (pronounced "PY-TOE") might just be the best argument for swapping out the piano stool for a synthesiser. A band who first caught our attention with the release of ‘For Sweet.’, the funk-rock outfit have continued to dive into modern nostalgic with the release of their new single, ‘Like Poles’.
Released just a few days ago, the band’s latest offering sees them bypassing the typical pining of a heartbreak ballad, choosing instead to lean into a bright, breezy energy that feels like a coastal drive with the top down. It is a bold choice for a track born from the frustration of a girl who remained perpetually out of reach, but it is a pivot that pays off in spades.
The track announces itself with a nostalgic flurry of 8-bit sounds and pinball wizardry, a digital chaotic spark that quickly gives way to a funk-heavy anthem. There is a visible tug-of-war here between different musical DNA; while the guitarist and drummer clearly live for pure funk, the vocal and bass performances are drenched in the influence of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The result is a bold, bombastic concoction where basslines fire and psychedelics drop, reminiscent of the wildest elements of Modest Mouse. It is wonderfully frantic, avoiding the trap of becoming too polished or sterile.
Lyrically, the song tackles the internal gymnastics of self-justification. The vocals navigate the "lemon twist" dizziness of attraction, eventually settling on the comforting lie that the pair are simply too similar to coexist—much like the eponymous magnets. "I see your hands where they shouldn’t be / But I can’t touch you, cause we’re the same," he admits, framing the rejection as a law of physics rather than a personal failure. There is a raw, unpretentious charm in the way the lyrics transition from clumsy wordplay to the desperate admission of the bridge: "My head hurts without you / Can't pull you close, we repel like that."
By the time the hook hits, the "guitar, booze, ciggy" lifestyle is offered up as a temporary shield against the pain, though the final chorus eventually lets the mask slip. It is a balanced piece of songwriting—energetic enough for a festival main stage, yet grounded in a very relatable sort of social clumsiness. As an opening gambit for their full-length album, ‘Like Poles’ is a high-voltage introduction that suggests Phytö are far more interested in making you dance than making you cry.
Catch the latest updates and sun-drenched clips by tracking Phytö across Instagram, X, TikTok, and Bandcamp.
