Coming off the back of their brilliant single “Excruciating Heights”, their first release since second album Go Mutant was issued in May of 2025, garage-rock band Search Results released their latest single “Secret Bench in the Bardo” on 11 August.
Initially performed on the band’s Rockpalast setlist in 2025, the two-minute blast of energy is led by briskly strummed chords and is somewhat of an unusually jolly track compared to earlier works from Search Results. A back-and-forth guitar pattern creates a pendulum like groove that most will find hard to resist bopping their head along to. The track contains a shamelessly feel-good vibe, tailor made for a scene from a ‘90s film, with a group of friends in high spirits set to embark on a summer getaway.
Released alongside “Abacus Rubicon”, the B-side track presents a more menacing and darker atmosphere, with a notable return to the more lo-fi vocals similar to those heard on Search Results’ debut album Information Blip. However, “Abacus Rubicon” has put an unexpected spanner in the works for my initial notion that “Excruciating Heights” and “Secret Bench in the Bardo” were set to be the beginning of a change in dynamics for the band’s upcoming projects. Not just faster paced, but two tracks that felt more vocally upbeat compared to previous releases.
Despite not currently featuring on any EP or album together, the two singles seem to complement each other nicely, as if cut from the same cloth. Although “Excruciating Heights” is still the lead runner for me as the next standout track if featured on a future EP/album, “Secret Bench in the Bardo” offers a type of optimistic energy that I don’t think Search Results have had in previous records and will add plenty of charisma to the band’s catalogue.
Having recently begun touring across Europe over the past year, the group last performed at Wipeout Festival, Sligo on 18 July. Unfortunately, it will probably be another year or so before another EP or album release, but IMRO will be keep our eyes peeled for whatever Search Results’ next move is, as should all indie and garage rock fans.
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