The Stray Pursuit return with powerful new single 'Mess with my Head'

The Stray Pursuit return with their powerful new single ‘Mess with My Head’ out on the 14th of May 2025.

Swansea band The Stray Pursuit return with their exciting new single ‘Mess with My Head’ it captures the chaos and intensity of young love, set against the backdrop of living at home and fixating on someone new. With raw emotion and infectious energy, it unravels the tension of heated arguments and the mental tug-of-war that comes with a relationship growing more serious.

Rife with gritty guitars, punchy drums, and emotionally raw yet melodic vocals.  It carries a sense of frustration and urgency, blending angst with anthemic hooks. The song's themes are both personal yet universal, concerned with mental health struggles, overthinking, and toxic relationships, giving it an emotional yet rebellious edge. With its dynamic melodic shifts, big riffing and powerful delivery, it’s an ambitious anthemic rock sound built for singalongs, it channels the energy of bands like Royal Blood and Nothing But Thieves.

The band recorded the track at Longwave Studios in Cardiff, collaborating with esteemed producer Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me the Horizon, Holding Absence, Nova Twins). on their debut EP ‘Dominio Effect’.  Hailing from Swansea, The Stray Pursuit emerges as a dynamic force in the realm of Alternative Rock. Distinctive for their guitar-driven riffs and captivating vocals, each track embodies their eclectic musical tastes. Inspired by bands like Catfish and The Bottlemen and The Hunna, and with echoes of the Welsh rock lineage of The Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, and Funeral for a Friend, in the upcoming months they will release more exciting tracks.

The four-piece consists of lead singer Aaron Morgan, lead guitarist Dylan Cooney, bassist Fred Wilkinson, and drummer Ben Lewis. They have supported Andrew Cushin, The K's, and Vida, and played alongside The Lottery Winners, Pastel, and Trampoline just to name a few. TSP were featured on This Feelings ‘Big in 2020’. In June 2023, they sold out a headline show at The Bunkhouse for their single release ‘Let It Be Known’. They then went on to sell out two out of five dates of their ‘Domino Effect’ debut EP tour in 2024. One in Cwrw, Carmarthen and the other in The Moon, Cardiff.

The band's origin story traces back to an unexpected bus ride that led Aaron and Fred to forge an unexpected bond. Despite being rivals in separate bands, their chemistry became undeniable during a jam session. The additions of exceptional talents lead guitarist Dylan and drummer Nicky solidified the lineup.  Tragedy struck when founding drummer Nicky Bevan passed away in December 2022. They say “The devastating loss catalysed a renewed purpose for the band: to honour Nicky's legacy and prove our potential for greatness. He is missed dearly, and will be forever cherished by so many people.”

The pandemic-induced hiatus and Fred finishing university provided growth for the band. Emerging from this break in June 2022, and Ben joining the band later in April 2023, The Stray Pursuit reentered the practice room, channelling their energy into crafting new tracks and elevating their stage presence and live performance, for the songs on their debut EP ‘Domino Effect’.

"raw, impassioned and excellent!" Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales

'Swansea quartet shine bright on a heartbreaking anthem made for the masses' Gigslutz