Some of the most memorable songs are born from contradiction. They find joy in sadness, movement in stillness, and hope in moments that seem completely consumed by uncertainty. Calgary art-pop duo HAIR CONTROL understands that tension better than most, and their latest single, “Seeing In The Dark,” transforms it into something both exhilarating and profoundly human.
At a time when many artists are exploring themes of anxiety and isolation, Ryan Bourne and Rebecca Reid choose a different approach. Instead of surrendering to darkness, they search for meaning within it.
“Seeing In The Dark” feels like a soundtrack for anyone standing at a crossroads. It is a song about movement, not necessarily toward a clearly defined destination, but toward possibility itself. The track embraces uncertainty while refusing to allow it to become a source of paralysis. Instead, it becomes an invitation to keep moving forward.
The song’s origins are as fascinating as the music itself. What began as a dream melody eventually evolved into a powerful meditation on solidarity, collective resilience, and human connection. Drawing inspiration from Leonard Cohen’s famous observation that “we are ugly but we have the music,” as well as the communal spirit found in Pulp’s “Common People,” HAIR CONTROL builds a narrative that celebrates shared experience over individual isolation.
That sense of togetherness extends into the song’s imagery. Bourne imagined a midnight road trip unfolding beneath rain soaked skies, with two lovers leaving behind everything familiar in search of something new. It is a cinematic vision that perfectly complements the song’s central message. Sometimes clarity doesn’t arrive in broad daylight. Sometimes we learn to see while moving through the darkness.
Musically, “Seeing In The Dark” is equally inventive. Rather than relying on traditional power-pop arrangements, the duo constructs the song through interwoven single-note melodies, heavily filtered synthesizers, and an irresistible sense of momentum. The result is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
There is also something beautifully organic about the recording process. Created during a series of late-night sessions at Calgary’s legendary Art Castle, the song absorbed its surroundings. The stillness of the early morning hours, the sound of birds greeting the sunrise, and the atmosphere of a creatively charged space all found their way into the music.
The production embraces an intentionally lo-fi philosophy. Recorded on a Tascam cassette recorder and driven by the unmistakable pulse of a Roland 909 drum machine, the track balances homemade warmth with cinematic ambition. Producer Lorrie Matheson’s mix elevates every element, while Rebecca Reid’s harmonies add another layer of beauty to an already immersive listening experience.
As the second single from the forthcoming album Electric Pleasure, scheduled for release on October 30, 2026, “Seeing In The Dark” offers an exciting glimpse into HAIR CONTROL’s artistic world.
More importantly, it reminds us that even during uncertain times, there is still beauty to be found, connections to be made, and reasons to keep moving toward the light, even when we can only see in the dark.
