British post-punk artist SORE drops powerfully dark single, inspired by the creepy horror series, Smile.

By Graeme Smith

SORE is an innovative Reading-based artist who describes herself as “the saddest girl on the Internet.”

Her new single SMILE certainly lends credence to that claim. About the hard truths of mental health as well as abusive or unpleasant relationships, it draws on the grimacing imagery of the cult horror film of the same name.

Its instrumental is suitably eerie, starting low and haunting before arriving at a driving post-punk groove. Darkness purveys everything as SORE’s expressive vocals take centre stage in the verse. An undercurrent of The Cure sets it out from the pop crowd, and a punchy chorus is a knockout.

SMILE is out now and you can give it a listen below.