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Photo: Mikayla LoBasso

Following an artistic rebrand, NYC-based trio People I’ve Met, made up of Moses Martin (vocals, guitar), Orlando Wiltshire (drums), and Andrew Suster (bass), have unveiled their latest single, “For Hire.” It is the band's second release under their new artistic iteration.

Their debut single “Promise,” released back in December, leaned into dream pop and featured an erratic instrumental loop in its latter half. “For Hire,” with its often reverb-drenched sullen vocal line and plucky, earnest guitar movement, is ostensibly indie.

Slightly reminiscent of alt-pop trio Nightly’s brooding material from the mid-late 2010s, People I’ve Met adapts the sonic callings of the genre while, at least in part, crafting lyrics meant to match the toughness of their city. “Baby’s got ties on the upper east side / Get into another fight, you should see the other guy,” sings the band.

In a press statement, Martin says, “After ‘Promise,’ we wanted to have some fun and show our range and provide a different perspective on getting over someone. The lyric, ‘you’re not getting us for hire,’ conveys the sentiment of ‘you can’t just have me when you want me.’”

Though self-reflection in the wake of lost love is certainly present throughout, there is more to it than meets the eye. An additional bridge of sorts is interspersed throughout the final chorus, with Martin’s heaviest, and perhaps most intrinsic, thoughts spilling out on record, confessing, “But a reeling conversation with a subtler attack / Lets a feeling of fulfillment start to really lack/ It’d be better for a poet and I’m not on that track / Please don’t panic I’ll be right back.” His diction heavily resembles his father's, who also tends to be rather difficult to distinguish in his lower bass register, though the phlegmatic delivery of these stanzas is a charming aspect of the tune and an indication of Martin’s emotional culpability. Wiltshire and Suster provide minimal yet functional backing vocals, adding expressive flavor without detracting from Martin’s lyrical barrage.

The tune was premiered live ahead of its release during the band's three-night residency at NYC’s Baby’s All Right this past November. Film from the performances can be seen in its accompanying lyric video.

Watch the "For Hire" lyric video below: