There’s a coldness not explained
Makes this world a joke
If it passed me by, I wouldn’t know
It lies in me
Toronto’s internationally acclaimed TRAITRS has emerged as one of the vanguard acts powering the current post-punk and darkwave resurgence, enthralling crowds from North America to Europe with their melancholic mystique and relentlessly catchy hooks. Now, as 2025 dawns, the Canadian duo tips its hat to the classic ’80s 12-inch single era by reissuing their breakthrough track “Thin Flesh”—originally showcased on 2018’s Butcher’s Coin—on ultra-clear vinyl. Released in partnership with Icy Cold Records and Furniture Records, this special edition also unveils the previously unheard “Factory Father,” offering a fresh glimpse into the potent mix of darkness and drive that continues to define TRAITRS’ global appeal.
For many, “Thin Flesh” served as the band’s signature statement: a slice of bleak, synth-washed propulsion that dominated dancefloors, soared to millions of streams, and was even featured in The Crow (2024). Brooding yet oddly accessible, the track encapsulates TRAITRS’ ability to straddle the line between introspective gloom and urgent melody—securing its place as a cornerstone of contemporary darkwave.
Lyrically, “Thin Flesh” stares unflinchingly into themes of emotional detachment and existential anxiety, weaving a narrative of unresolved memories and gnawing pain. The refrain lingers like a ghost at the edge of consciousness, underscoring how certain traumas refuse to dissipate. It’s a song that remains profoundly resonant, illustrating the band’s knack for merging stark confessions with propulsive, cinematic arrangements.
“We spend a lot of our downtime on tour visiting record shops,” says synth player Sean-Patrick Nolan. “Seeing all those classic new wave 12-inch singles, we felt ‘Thin Flesh’ deserved its own vinyl treatment. Honestly, watching the crowd react to the track every night, especially years later, still catches us by surprise. It’s the moment in our set we look forward to the most.”
“The enthusiasm for ‘Thin Flesh’ years later, a song we always knew had a special charm about it, never ceases to amaze us,” he continues. “Hearing how excited people are when we perform the song live now, it’s a part of the show we look forward to night after night.”
Watch the video for “Thin Flesh” below:
style=”text-align: justify;”>On the flip side of this special release lies “Factory Father,” a track that never made its way onto Butcher’s Coin. “It’s a very personal song about my father’s daily work routine—an endless loop he struggled to break,” explains vocalist/guitarist Shawn Tucker. “At the time, it just didn’t quite fit the record’s flow. In retrospect, though, ‘Factory Father’ completes the puzzle, like it was waiting for the right moment to return.”
Experience Thin Flesh/Factory Father in full via the Bandcamp player below, and pre-order the 12″ single here. Officially landing on February 7, 2025, it arrives just in time for a new wave of admirers and longtime devotees to scoop up a piece of TRAITRS’ evolving legacy. A fresh pressing of Butcher’s Coin—in sparkling Transparent Silver—will also see release on January 24, reaffirming how this modern staple of darkwave continues to cast its long, mesmerizing shadow.
ICR117 – TRAITRS “Thin Flesh / Factory Father” by Icy Cold Records
On the flip side of this special release lies “Factory Father,” a track that never made its way onto Butcher’s Coin. “It’s a very personal song about my father’s daily work routine—an endless loop he struggled to break,” explains vocalist/guitarist Shawn Tucker. “At the time, it just didn’t quite fit the record’s flow. In retrospect, though, ‘Factory Father’ completes the puzzle, like it was waiting for the right moment to return.”
Listen to Thin Flesh/Factory Father via Bandcamp below, and pre-order the 12″ single here. Officially landing on February 7, 2025, it arrives just in time for a new wave of admirers and longtime devotees to scoop up a piece of TRAITRS’ evolving legacy. A fresh pressing of Butcher’s Coin—in sparkling Transparent Silver—will also see release on January 24, reaffirming how this modern staple of darkwave continues to cast its long, mesmerizing shadow.
ICR117 – TRAITRS “Thin Flesh / Factory Father” by Icy Cold Records
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The post Canadian Coldwave Duo TRAITRS to Release “Thin Flesh” on 12-Inch Vinyl With Unheard B-Side “Factory Father” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.
