B-Side Guys

Jeremy & The Harlequins’ latest single “Trouble on the Hill” emerges as a haunting meditation on the inescapability of fate, delivered through a folk-rock lens that feels simultaneously vintage and vital. Recorded at Brooklyn’s Lamplight Studios with producer Mike Abiuso, the track creates a psychological landscape where consequence looms just beyond the horizon—visible but temporarily avoidable.

Frontman Jeremy Fury’s vocals carry a weathered urgency that perfectly complements the song’s central metaphor: the “trouble” that waits for each of us, regardless of our attempts to escape it. The narrative builds through evocative imagery of futile evasion tactics—covering stains, locking away truths, changing identities—all rendered pointless against the persistence of reality. The repeated chorus acknowledges this futility with a stark admission that hiding offers no resolution.

Musically, the band conjures a timeless atmosphere that draws from American folk traditions while incorporating subtle psychedelic elements reminiscent of The Doors. The instrumentation creates tension between resignation and resistance, particularly during the bridge section where the spoken-word interlude intensifies the sense of inevitability. This sonic approach places the track within recognizable traditions while avoiding mere pastiche.

What distinguishes this recording is how it transforms an abstract concept—the inescapability of fate—into concrete storytelling. The second verse’s bank robber narrative provides a focused illustration of the broader theme, allowing listeners to visualize the abstract through specificity. This storytelling prowess reveals the band’s folk influences without becoming derivative of their inspirations.

“Trouble on the Hill” demonstrates Jeremy & The Harlequins’ continued evolution as musical archivists who don’t merely preserve traditions but reinvigorate them. The production maintains a raw, intimate quality that prevents the philosophical subject matter from feeling distant or academic. Instead, the track feels like a warning delivered by someone who has learned its truth the hard way—making its universal message feel deeply personal.