Astral Bakers Unleash Melancholy Magic with 'A Dog in a Manger'

French indie outfit return with haunting harmonies, soft grunge energy, and a powerful new voice.

Paris-based quartet Astral Bakers make a striking return with their latest single, 'A Dog in a Manger', a brooding, intricately-layered track that balances tender reflection with soaring emotional peaks.

Marking a new chapter for the band, the single sees drummer Zoé Hochberg step up as lead vocalist for the first time, her voice delivering quiet intensity over a bed of chilled guitars and soft grunge rhythms.

Blending elements of indie rock, pop, and melancholic ambience, the song explores toxic emotional dynamics with a surprisingly compassionate lens. Inspired by the fable of the same name, 'A Dog in a Manger' paints a portrait of jealousy and possessiveness, but with a warmth that suggests understanding rather than blame.

The track’s careful build - beginning with sparse instrumentation and unfolding into layered harmonies and a stirring, climactic chorus - showcases Astral Bakers’ mastery of emotional pacing. Echoes of Big Thief and early Nirvana shimmer through, yet the sound remains distinctly their own.

With their performance at The Great Escape Festival on the horizon, Astral Bakers prove once again why they’re among the most intriguing voices in modern indie. If this latest single is any indication, their second album, due later this year, will be a must-listen.