Hailing from the Midwest and rooted in Illinois, The House Flies have steadily built a reputation for blending gothic atmosphere, post-punk textures, and brooding melodies into a sound that feels at once haunting and deeply cinematic. The band first surfaced with their debut “Glimmer EP” in 2023, a project that introduced their signature dark style while hinting at the depth still to come. Their momentum grew with the release of “Mannequin Deposit” in 2024, a full-length record that expanded their sonic palette and earned critical recognition for its immersive and evocative soundscapes. The lineup; Alex Riggen (guitar/vocals), Ozzie Woods (bass), and Nick Pompou (drums), has always thrived on atmosphere and mood, but their creative dynamic grew even richer when guitarist Burnie Eckardt (formerly of Dynoride) joined ahead of “Mannequin Deposit”. This addition brought a new dimension to their live shows and recording sessions, allowing the band to push their layered arrangements into more textured, expansive territory.
As they prepare their next album, The House Flies continue to evolve, weaving their gothic-tinged identity into something darker, heavier, and even more hypnotic. On September 16th, 2025, The House Flies return with “Sweet Foxhound”, their first new single since 2024’s “Mannequin Deposit”. Originally written during the sessions for that album but only now fully realized with their expanded lineup, the track arrives as a brooding yet melodic statement of where the band has been and where they are headed. Built on shadowy guitar layers, pulsing bass, and haunting vocals, “Sweet Foxhound” unfolds with restless energy and a cinematic mood that is as hypnotic as it is unsettling. More than just a standalone single, the song bridges the past and future of The House Flies: it carries the atmospheric weight that has defined their sound while pointing toward the longer, darker, and heavier body of work currently in progress.
“Sweet Foxhound” by The House Flies is a song that opens like a curtain slowly drawing back to reveal a carefully painted landscape, and from the very first notes it commands attention with its subtle yet magnetic atmosphere. The introduction is built around a shimmering layer of electric guitar chords that feel simultaneously raw and dreamy, drenched in just enough reverb to create a haze that instantly sets the mood. There is a looseness in the way the strings ring out, an almost unrefined honesty, which makes the opening sound human and organic rather than overly polished. In the background, faint percussive taps, almost like heartbeat pulses, begin to creep in, creating a quiet sense of anticipation. This opening doesn’t just invite the listener in, it gently pulls them into the world of the song, whispering a promise of something larger and more emotionally charged waiting just beneath the surface. It feels atmospheric, cinematic, and soulful all at once, preparing the ear for the journey ahead.
As the rhythm section enters more fully, the song starts to take shape with a steady, unshakable pulse that grounds the dreamy guitar textures. The drums are clean and precise, with sharp snare hits cutting through the mix while the hi-hats and cymbals shimmer in light bursts, adding glimmers of brightness to the darker guitar tones. The kick drum is subtle but consistent, locking tightly with a warm and fluid bassline that moves beneath everything like a current, giving the track depth and weight. Together, the bass and drums establish a groove that feels hypnotic, almost trance-like, yet never stagnant, it has the momentum of a song steadily breathing and evolving. Each rhythmic detail feels deliberate, not overdone, and the restraint of the percussion allows the other instruments to shine while still giving the music its backbone. The groove is smooth and intoxicating, making the listener want to lean in and move with it.
The layering of guitars is where “Sweet Foxhound” becomes particularly captivating, as they weave together like threads in a tapestry to create a sound both textured and rich. At times, the guitars are crisp, with clean picking patterns glistening like droplets of light across the arrangement. At other moments, they expand into fuller, reverb-laden chords that wash over the track in waves, filling the space with warmth and resonance. The interplay between rhythm and lead guitars adds dimension, one line might carry a steady strum while another dances freely with melodic flourishes, creating both contrast and harmony. As the song builds, the guitars grow more assertive, adding distortion and grit that raise the intensity. It’s a transformation that mirrors the song’s emotional progression, starting softly, almost like a whisper, and growing into something far more commanding and electrifying. The guitars are not just accompaniment, they are central narrators in the sonic story being told.
The vocals then arrive as the emotional core of the piece, carrying a presence that feels deeply expressive and authentic. The singer’s voice is warm and full of character, gliding gently over the verses with an understated tenderness before rising into more passionate, almost aching tones in the chorus. There is a balance of vulnerability and strength in the delivery, as though the voice is confiding something personal while also pushing outward with conviction. Subtle harmonies occasionally enter, expanding the vocal texture and adding an almost ethereal glow to certain phrases. The phrasing is deliberate, with careful rises and falls that mirror the song’s instrumental ebb and flow. Importantly, the vocals never overshadow the instrumentation but sit nestled within the mix, blending as part of the atmosphere while still maintaining their emotional impact. They bring humanity to the song’s rich instrumental canvas, grounding its dreamlike quality with sincerity.
The progression of “Sweet Foxhound” is one of its strongest artistic achievements, unfolding in a way that feels both natural and purposeful. The song never stays in one place for too long; instead, it evolves with subtle shifts that heighten its energy and emotion. The verses provide space and intimacy, with stripped-back layers that emphasize the groove and allow the vocals to shine, while the choruses burst open with fuller instrumentation, rising guitars, and more impassioned vocal delivery. The transitions are seamless, flowing with a sense of inevitability rather than abruptness, giving the listener the feeling of being guided along a journey. Instrumental interludes appear at just the right moments, allowing the instruments to breathe and stretch out, before the track gathers momentum again. At its peak, the song becomes more energetic, gritty, and electrifying, with the guitars growing heavier, the drums more urgent, and the entire mix swelling into a powerful crescendo that feels like a release of pent-up emotion. This dynamic rise and fall keeps the track alive and deeply engaging.
Sweet Foxhound is a haunting, cinematic journey of shadowy guitars, pulsing bass, and hypnotic vocals, bridging The House Flies’ past and future.
By the closing moments, “Sweet Foxhound” feels like it has carried the listener through a complete sonic journey, blending atmosphere with raw emotional power. The final passages tie together the shimmering guitar lines, steady bass, intricate percussion, and heartfelt vocals into a unified soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. The energy doesn’t simply vanish; instead, it lingers, with echoes of the guitars and traces of the rhythm resonating even after the track has faded. The ending leaves the listener satisfied yet wanting to experience the journey all over again, a testament to its replay value. It is the kind of song that leaves an imprint, not just because of its instrumentation or structure, but because of the way it makes the listener feel: swept away, moved, and electrified. “Sweet Foxhound” stands as a testament to The House Flies’ ability to craft a piece that is both musically intricate and emotionally resonant, delivering a sound that is timeless, gritty, and deeply compelling.
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