B-Side Guys

South London’s McCabe possesses that rare quality among emerging artists—the ability to sound both familiar and entirely new in the same breath. On “Vicious,” the lead single from his forthcoming LP “Sunset Boulevard,” he weaves neo-soul textures with alternative R&B sensibilities to create something that respects tradition while refusing to be bound by it.

The track’s production, helmed by Patrick James Fitzroy (whose collaborations with Sorry and PVA have already established his credentials), creates a sonic playground where vintage Motown warmth meets contemporary experimentation. McCabe’s falsetto—which he only embraced at age 24 after years of rejecting his natural higher register—floats above the instrumentation with remarkable precision, particularly when addressing the song’s central theme of necessary separation after a relationship’s end.

When McCabe sings about the “bittersweet memories of old love,” the production mirrors this duality perfectly—the groove remains infectiously upbeat while melancholic undertones provide emotional depth. This tension between the track’s soulful exterior and its deeply personal core makes “Vicious” far more than a simple breakup narrative; it becomes an exploration of growth through distance.

The guerrilla-filmed music video set against a Blackheath funfair backdrop provides the perfect visual complement—McCabe stands isolated amid colorful chaos, embodying the song’s emotional contrasts. The carnival setting serves as visual metaphor for the relationship described in the lyrics: dazzling on the surface but undercut with danger and melancholy.

“Vicious” signals McCabe’s artistic evolution as he prepares to release his debut album. His self-described “Experimental Soul” approach breaks free from traditional songwriting structures, instead following a stream-of-consciousness method where the music itself dictates direction. The Prince influence from his childhood remains evident, but McCabe transforms these inspirations into something distinctly his own—a soulful sound that acknowledges its roots while pushing boldly forward into uncharted emotional territory.