Ben and Patty reunite in the new Bleak Soul single “Nostalgia”

Ben Langford-Biss and Patty Walters

Since their last song together in 2018, Ben Langford-Biss and Patty Walters have reunited on Bleak Soul’s newest single, “Nostalgia.” 

Dripped in emotion, “Nostalgia” is about longing to go back to your past, which prevents you from progressing. The lyrics, “Nostalgia is the enemy of progress/ But I still have time to kill/ So I regress/ Back to the same thoughts/ I haven’t slept in days/ Keep on deluding myself that things will change/ To the familiar, to the familiar,” pushes that notion to the front of listener’s minds as looking back does keep you from looking forward. 

Langford-Biss said, “I had written a song during lockdown when life was pretty dark, and I was especially nostalgic for days in my old band with friends I miss, out seeing the world. Thoughts of the past were better than the present. It wasn’t particularly good for my mental health so the line ‘nostalgia is the enemy of progress’ was born.” He also mentioned that he missed taking ideas to Walters and had a “clear vision for his part” in the song so it only made sense for Walters to be involved and to finish the song together. 

Paired with a vertical music video that premiered on TikTok, “Nostalgia” is filled with callbacks to previous eras of As It Is, and Langford-Biss and Walters’ friendship. The background plays videos from tours and music videos of the past while Langford-Biss and Walters subtly change their styles and outfits to match significant moments in their past such as Walters’ bright red suit jacket from “The Great Depression” era, Langford-Biss’ final album with the group.

“So many friendships end when bands part ways or members leave. I never had that with As It Is,” Langford-Biss commented. 

“Nostalgia” is filled with nods of familiarity while being something completely new, showing that while memories can be treasured, you should look to the future instead. Langford-Biss and Walters hope that the song will connect with people perhaps struggling with a longing for the past.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 2023