Guildford-based alternative five-piece Aqualine are set to release their new EP, Tripwire, on 17th October 2025. Released ahead of the band’s upcoming headline UK tour through October, the five-track release showcases Aqualine’s unique meld of post-punk, grunge, and indie, with inventive production, hip-hop undertones, and breathtaking instrumentation.
The band’s combined influences from the ’90s shoegaze/grunge era and the present crankwave/alt-rock scene forge an explosive sound that feels refreshing yet oddly familiar. Described by Paris’s Supersonic Block Party Festival as “melancholia,” Aqualine’s music often explores themes of isolation, self-identity, and mental well-being in young adulthood. They’ve been rising as an up-and-coming name in the alternative scenes of Brighton and London, recognized for their untameable live angst, tight musicianship, and raw energy.
Across the new EP, Tripwire, the band showcases strikingly complex and creative musicality. Tightly locked drums and bass underpin the melodic, melancholic vocal delivery and soaring guitar work, which moves between elegant beauty and urgent fuzzy expression—accentuated by pitch shifters and modulation pedals comparable to Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood.
Produced by Simon Schenk-Mair, mixed by Matt Glasbey (Bloc Party, David Gilmour), and mastered by Katie Tavini, the EP is ultimately anchored in the raw energy of the ’90s shoegaze/grunge era but sharpened by the band’s restless experimentation and stylistic shifts, evoking elements of crankwave and a visceral alt-rock edge. From the buoyant, catchy melody and sporadic intensity of Hit Me to the driving energy of Poppy and the floating emotive approach of Orchidline, the EP showcases the full range of the band while capturing a radiant sense of potential.
Thematically, the EP’s title, Tripwire, reflects the fragile balance of navigating invisible struggles. Each track dives into a different emotional battle while remaining thematically unified. Their upcoming UK tour promises to bring that vision to life with immersive visuals, EP-inspired artwork, and a powerful live presence designed to elevate the experience beyond sound alone.
Speaking about the EP, the band explain: “The recording process for this was all live in the studio. This was a new approach, as the only live recording we had done as a band was demos in our rehearsal room for fun. It was an interesting challenge playing around with recording to a click for some songs or parts of songs, and then not for others. It was an attempt to get the most natural take and backbone of the songs that we could. Then we layered a few overdubs over the top after we had found that take.
For example, Orchidline, being so delicate, was really hard to find the right take for and to all be present. It was written at a very difficult time for the band. A couple of us were really struggling with our mental health. It was holding us back and stopping us from progressing with our lives. Writing the song was an attempt to express these irrational thoughts that were taking over so we could move on. It’s a special song, as it captures this period and helped us move forward as a band.”
Since releasing their debut EP in the summer of 2024, Aqualine have toured the UK, supported Alfie Templeman at The 1865 in Southampton, and played shows in France, including Supersonic’s Block Party Festival as well as in Ireland for Outside the Box Festival. With radio plays from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music (Steve Lamacq) and BBC Introducing (including a live session), the band is now gearing up for Tripwire and their upcoming UK tour, which promises to cement their already glowing reputation.
All artwork by: Ben Skwarski and Patrick Keena
Upcoming Live Dates:
Tripwire EP Headline UK Tour:
17th October – The Apothecary Tap, Banbury
18th October – The Lamplighter, Northampton
19th October – Railway Inn, Winchester
21st October – The Exchange, Bristol
22nd October – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
23rd October – The Victoria, London
25th October – ALTR, Newcastle
26th October – The Washington, Sheffield
18th November – Heartbreakers – Southampton (Supporting Sterling Press)
19th November – The Purple Turtle, Reading (Headline)
20th November – Forum Basement, Tunbridge Wells (Supporting Sterling Press)
26th November – The Green Door Store, Brighton Show (Supporting Kanukai)
4th December – Hootenanny Brixton, London (Support Trust Showcase)
11th December – Boileroom, Guildford (Hometown Headline with support from Canned Pineapple & Die Twice)
AQUALINE ARE:
Benjamin Skwarski: Singer + guitar
Patrick Keena: Lead guitar
William Bodman-Smith: Guitar
Zane Gray: Bass
Samuel Holcombe: Drums
For music submission, click here
