Indie four-piece The Trusted are here to melt your hearts, uplift your soul and make you cry in their breathtaking new single “Criminals”. Mixed by Grammy nominated Andy Bradfield (Elbow, David Gray, Rufus Wainwright) the new-wave, alt-rock track flares flickers of both heaven and hell between the production and lyrics. 

Compiled of heavenly strings and plucking led into waving echoing vocals, with drums that glide into a rocky rhythm that carries the chorus, the song bears bittersweet feelings of freedom yet being trapped. The Trusted share how the song encompasses a mantra of “loss, heartbreak, guilt and self-absorption”. The vocals blaze indie fire with a silkyness glazed over them; from breathtaking, crystal belts, to lower gritty sounds, the singing on the track is all round class.

Imagine the euphoria of “Sweet Disposition” by the Temper Trap mixed with the rawness of The Killers – timeless, polished and a devilishly delightful indie fusion. Amongst the sadness of the lyrics, and the cry in the vocals (which is utterly stunning), is a sense of freedom sonically in the song, just totally vulnerable and exposed but sheltered by the blissful, exhilarating sounds. The sound gives you a feeling of peace in the acceptance and relief the band had in writing the song – hauntingly atmospheric. The boys share, “It’s a sad and honest track, but at the same, it’s kind of beautifully uplifting” and they’re right – it’s exactly that.