Jamie Lenman has been quiet by design, not by default. Having stepped back from the grind of constant touring and releasing to focus on his Patreon community, he’s back now with “Not Likely,” his first new music since 2023’s EP ‘Iknowyouknowiknow’. It’s punk-fuelled, deliberately messy, and exactly what it needs to be.
The track channels early US punk in the vein of Fang, raw and room-sized, with Lenman playing every instrument himself to achieve what he describes as “that slightly messy vibe.” He recorded it with Luke Pickering, who he connected with through False Advertising, and whose work on those records clearly left an impression. The result is a groove that feels like a band that’s figured out controlled chaos.
Lyrically, Lenman isn’t pulling punches. “It’s a very pessimistic piece,” he says, drawing a line to his earlier track “The Future Is Dead.” He’s clear that it’s not his default mode, but he’s also honest enough to put the feeling on record when it’s real. That kind of directness has always been central to what makes his work land. “Not Likely” is streaming exclusively on Bandcamp on a pay-what-you-want basis, keeping it entirely on his own terms.
More music is coming. Lenman has confirmed as much, and “Not Likely” reads like an opening statement rather than a one-off. He’ll also be taking the stage at Arctangent Festival on August 22, giving the new material its live debut in front of an audience built for exactly this kind of thing.