Hank - Tell The Leaves Not To Turn
New Single • Tell The Leaves Not To Turn — from debut album Hero Weak Thing (out November 27, 2026). London, UK.
Hank Bring Raw Emotion and Experimental Noise to London's Alternative-Rock Scene
Hank are a London-based alternative-rock quartet featuring Lola Stephen (vocals and guitar), George Frederick (vocals and guitar), Claryn Chong (vocals and bass) and Ashley Cooper (drums). Emerging from the city's independent music scene, the band combine noise-rock, shoegaze and melodic alternative rock with an unpredictable, collaborative approach to songwriting. Their earlier EPs, Twist Grip and Spiralic, established a reputation for unconventional arrangements and emotionally intense live performances. Drawing inspiration from The Breeders, Elliott Smith and Swirlies, Hank embrace distorted guitars, contrasting vocal perspectives and a deliberately unpolished aesthetic, creating music that balances vulnerability with explosive energy.
Tell The Leaves Not To Turn: The Emotional Struggle Against Inevitable Change
“Tell The Leaves Not To Turn” explores the desperation of resisting change, particularly when relationships and familiar emotional connections begin to evolve. Lola Stephen describes the song as an expression of the difficulty of accepting life's inevitable transformations. Its title, inspired by Madonna's “Don't Tell Me,” captures the impossible desire to stop time and preserve something that is already changing. The track brings together three vocalists, allowing different emotional perspectives to emerge within a single composition.
Musically, the single combines distorted guitar layers, abrasive bass and shifting drum patterns with moments of melodic restraint. The arrangement gradually builds in intensity, while a manipulated sample of a human sigh introduces an unusual rhythmic element. Recorded with producer Jamie Neville, the song reflects Hank's interest in combining experimental recording techniques with the raw energy of their live performances. The result is a restless, emotionally charged composition that transforms personal uncertainty into a collective musical expression.
Why It Matters: Shoegaze and Noise-Rock Give Emotional Vulnerability a Louder Voice
Hank belong to a contemporary alternative-rock movement rediscovering the expressive possibilities of 1990s shoegaze, guitar distortion and collaborative songwriting. Rather than relying on conventional indie-rock structures, the band use contrasting voices, experimental textures and dynamic arrangements to communicate emotional complexity. Their approach demonstrates how aggressive instrumentation can coexist with introspective themes, making vulnerability an essential part of their musical identity.
“Tell The Leaves Not To Turn” introduces the band's forthcoming nine-track debut album, Hero Weak Thing, recorded at Teeth Studios in South East London. The album represents a transition from their earlier independent EPs toward a more developed collective identity, while retaining the spontaneity of their live performances. “Tell The Leaves Not To Turn” transforms the fear of change into an intense shoegaze-influenced statement about vulnerability, acceptance and the impossibility of holding on to the past.
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