Oswald Slain’s ‘Bucky’ Is the Perfect Retro Rock Song

There’s something about a song that sounds like a scrappy VHS tape feels — warm and insanely nostalgic. That’s exactly what Bucky, the latest and final single from Bristol-based rock group Oswald Slain, delivers. Released October 10th, Bucky is the title track from their upcoming debut album (also called BUCKY), and it’s basically your permission slip to tune out the chaos and fall into a fuzzed-out 90s haze for a few minutes.

It’s all heartbreak and humour in classic Oswald Slain fashion. The track doesn’t try to be perfect, and that’s the point. It’s lazy in the best way, like skipping school to lie in the grass and stare at the clouds. “It’s a washed-out 90s anthem of nostalgia and escapism,” says vocalist and lyricist Charlie Fitzgerald. “A lazy attempt at a cheap holiday. A f*** it all off, delete the lot and be free for a bit kind of tune.” And honestly? We’ve never related harder.

If this is your first time meeting Oswald Slain, hi, welcome — you’re in for a ride. Born from the DIY glow-up of a self-built home studio, this band is all about doing things their own way. Formerly known as Little Thief, the group is fronted by longtime songwriting duo and real-life partners Charlie Fitzgerald and Rhii Williams. The two have been making music together for over a decade, and BUCKY marks a fresh chapter — one where the chaos of youth crashes into the clarity of growing up (ish), and the result is both self-aware and totally unbothered.

The full album drops October 24th on limited edition vinyl, and we’re not gonna lie — it’s sounding like an instant cult classic. It’s eight tracks of swaggering retro rock energy, sleazy rhythms, driving drums, and lyrics that pack a punch while still feeling oddly comforting. Think Father John Misty meets The Strokes at a weird roadside diner with Velvet Underground playing on a dusty jukebox.

What makes BUCKY even cooler is that it was recorded totally in-house with the help of producer Ryan Rogers (Mumble Tide), mixed by John Logan, and mastered by Jason Mitchell (who’s worked with PJ Harvey and Big Special, casual). It was written and recorded mostly live, with morning jam sessions turning into afternoon recordings — cheap mics, no separation, no stress. That rawness comes through in the sound, and it somehow makes the whole thing feel even more intimate. “We weren’t seeking perfection,” says Fitzgerald. “It was nice to make something that felt honest, fun and vulnerable.”

If you caught their April EP KISS ME ON THE MOUTH, which made waves with Asbo Magazine, RTE, Rough Trade, and Apple Music’s New In Rock, you already know these two have a knack for turning chaos into charm. BUCKY is the natural evolution — it’s personal, playful, and full of moments that feel like they were made just for you.

The band will launch the album with a hometown show at Jam Jar in Bristol on November 6th, so if you’re local, go scream the lyrics and dance your face off. If not, just hit play, turn it up loud, and let Bucky take you somewhere softer, slower, and a little more free.

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Listen to Oswald Swain’s New Single BUCKY

Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo