B-Side Guys

Some personas feel like liberation. On “Thinking About It,” the latest single from Brighton’s Slung, vocalist Katie Oldham steps into character with such conviction that the transformation becomes a revelation—not just of artistic range but of social dynamics ripe for reimagining.

This preview of their forthcoming debut album ‘In Ways’ subverts the traditional lothario archetype by placing it in feminine hands. What might seem like mere gender-flipping actually creates something more nuanced—a flirtatious advance that maintains confidence without crossing into predation. The repeated refrain “I’m thinking about it” serves as both declaration of interest and acknowledgment of boundary, creating dialogue where similar scenarios often feature monologue.

Musically, the track walks a compelling line between hard rock foundations and more playful melodic touches. Guitarist Ali Johnson provides incendiary riffs that never overwhelm Oldham’s performance, while bassist Matveikov and drummer Ravi Martin create rhythmic architecture that propels rather than constrains. This balanced approach perfectly complements the lyrical content—assertive without aggression, confident without domination.

What distinguishes “Thinking About It” from similar character studies is how Oldham infuses the performance with both swagger and vulnerability. When she delivers lines about taking someone home, the invitation carries genuine desire rather than conquest energy. The acknowledgment that “no one hurts my feelings more than me” reveals the insecurity beneath bravado, creating a character whose complexity transcends stereotype.

Oldham herself provides illuminating context, noting how the song evolved from a working title “Tasty Girl” when improvised lyrics “ended up coming out like sleazy pick up lines from an old womanizer.” Rather than discarding this direction, the band “decided to just roll with that vibe and tell that story but from the perspective of a female lothario out on the prowl.” This decision transforms potential parody into thoughtful exploration of queerness, confidence, and connection.

The track also serves as subtle representation of what Oldham describes as “bisexual panic, meeting a girl and realising you’re thinking about it, and wondering if she’s thinking about it too.” This specificity creates emotional authenticity that elevates the performance beyond mere role-play into meaningful expression of queer experience that remains understated rather than tokenized.

As preview of an album that promises diverse subject matter—from explorations of sex work to Spanish bullfighting—”Thinking About It” demonstrates Slung’s range while suggesting their debut will balance conceptual ambition with emotional immediacy, qualities that position them as far more than just another promising Brighton band.