New Music: BIG SPECIAL: Black Country Duo's "GOD SAVE THE PONY" Rages Against the Grind

BIG SPECIAL is a powerful duo from the Black Country, West Midlands, England, consisting of Joe Hicklin (vocals, songwriter) and Callum Moloney (drums, production). Formed in 2020, they have rapidly become known for their vital, frustrated working-class voices and a sound that blends punk, electronica, spoken word, and soulful vocals. Their genre can be described as post-industrial jazz, alternative, punk, and rap.

Joe Hicklin's vocal delivery is a key characteristic, ranging from "guttural punk barks and serrated spoken word to soaring soul." The band draws inspiration from artists like Sleaford Mods, Billy Nomates, Tom Waits, and Idles, tackling themes of societal ills, economic hardship, mental health, and the frustrations of modern working-class life with a raw, honest, and often darkly humorous approach. They have gained significant traction since their debut EP DOOM SONG in 2022, signing with SO Recordings and performing extensive tours. Their debut album, POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES, released in May 2024, achieved UK Top 40 success.

"GOD SAVE THE PONY" is a new single by BIG SPECIAL, released on July 4, 2025. This track is a prominent feature from their surprise new album, "NATIONAL AVERAGE," which was also released on the same date via SO Recordings.

Lyrically, "GOD SAVE THE PONY" is a biting, semi-autobiographical take on the music industry and the various "stones we carry" – the invisible weights and challenges that pull people down in their everyday lives. As Joe Hicklin describes it, the song is about reckoning with change and reflecting on the moral obligations one has to themselves and others, acknowledging the strain of maintaining a personal moral line. The lyrics also contain direct commentary on the struggles of artists, with lines like "barely past minimum wage and I'm a rock n roll cliche" and critiques of industry pitfalls like "exposure doesn't pay and you can't eat art." It embodies a mix of rage, satire, and a well-wish to keep going despite the burdens.

Musically, "GOD SAVE THE PONY" is described as "writhing funk" with BIG SPECIAL's characteristic blend of hard-hitting punk, electronica, and spoken-word vocals. It showcases their ability to be both dark and danceable, encapsulating the raw emotion and satirical edge for which the duo is known.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/bigspecial_/