An unbroken motorik pulse runs through new track Compulsion, carrying Black Doldrums deeper into the psychological terrain mapped across their last two records. Analogue synths shine beneath surging bass and heavily treated guitars, transforming the mesmeric repetition of the trio’s previous single into a far more volatile rush.
The single previews Repetition Compulsion, arriving November 13th, 2026 through Fuzz Club. More than a standalone third album, the record brings Black Doldrums’ “State of Mind Trilogy” to its conclusion, completing an arc that began with Dead Awake and continued through In Limerence.
Across the three releases, the London band explore how identity and connection are shaped, and sometimes distorted by the mind.
The band’s Kevin Gibbard comments on Compulsion: “I wrote ‘Compulsion’ as the second part of our first single, ‘Repetition’. It originally started life as one piece of work, but naturally split into two separate songs. That gave us the opportunity to directly reference ‘Repetition; while continuing the central themes of the album and reinforcing the idea that all of the songs are connected in some way. The opening line, “Here we are again, repetition once more”, immediately brings the two songs together. Where ‘Repetition’ has a more dirge-like feel that literally reflects the idea of repetition, ‘Compulsion; has a greater sense of forward motion, building in intensity as it develops. We’re really proud of how the track fits within the wider concept of the album. We wanted to take a considered, interconnected approach, and I think ‘Compulsion’ really captures that idea. It feels like a natural progression from ‘Repetition’, while also taking the story and the sound somewhere new.”
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ALBUM TOUR-DATES
26/02 - London, UK @ St Pancras Old Church (Launch Show)
27/02 - Margate, UK @ Where Else?
03/03 - Bristol, UK @ Exchange Basement
04/03 - Birmingham, UK @ Hare and Hounds
05/03 - Glasgow, UK @ Old Hairdresser's
06/03 - Nottingham, UK @ The Old Bus Depot
14/04 - Maastricht, NL @ 043 Muziekgieterij
15/04 - Groningen, NL @ Vera
16/04 - Venlo, NL @ Kalt & Duuster Grenswerk
17/04 - Siegen, DE @ Beautiful Vortex Festival
18/04 - Berlin, DE @ Urban Spree
19/04 - Kusel, DE @ Kinett
20/04 - Hannover, DE @ Cafe Glocksee
21/04 - Copenhagen, DK @ Råhuset
22/04 - Malmö, SE @ Plan B
23/04 - Stockholm, SE @ Klubb DÖD
24/04 - Jönköping, SE @ The Hush Hush Club
27/04 - Bielefeld, DE @ Freak Culture Club
28/04 - Kronach, DE @ Tiger Lounge
30/04 - Vienna, AT @ Lot
01/05 - Heidenheim, DE @ TBA
More to be announced.
Black Doldrums
Fuzz Club
Video by Sophie Landers-
