‘Monsters‘ is an explosive blend of post-hardcore, melodic alternative metal and energetic punk rock. Dream State have been hailed as one of the most exciting rising bands in recent years and the single delivers yet another dose of their fresh and contemporary take on the genre. Lead singer Charlotte-Jayne “CJ”Gilpin arguably puts on her best vocal display so far, switching between gentle personal singing, and powerful emotional screams with ease and finese, breathing life into the intimate lyrics.

The South Wales wonders have been making the headlines ever since their self-released debut EP Consequences came out in 2015 and placed them at the forefront of the UK post-hardore and alternative rock scene. Signing for UNFD and dropping the huge single ‘White Lies‘ from their follow-up EP Recovery in 2018 earned them slots at major festivals such as Reading and Leeds, Download, Slam Dunk and Unify Gathering, and helped them gain international acclaim as one of the rising global acts of the future. Moreover, they were selected as the Best UK Breakthrough Band at the 2018 Kerrang! Awards and the 2019 Heavy Music Awards.

Their first studio album Primrose Path proved to be “one of the most talked about debut heavy releases in years” and featured absolute bangers like ‘Hand in Hand‘, ‘Primrose‘, ‘Twenty Letters‘ and ‘Open Windows‘. Only a year later, ‘Monsters‘ speaks loud and clear of Dream State’s huge potential and relentless energy, breathing life into a genre that has recently gone somewhat stale and repetative. The single is supposed to feature in a brand new EP expected at some point in 2021 and set to kickstart an exciting “new chapter” for the band.

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Dreamers: this is MONSTERS Brand new single & music video out now on all platforms (link in bio) We are ecstatic to start this new chapter with you

Публикация, споделена от DREAM STATE (@dreamstateuk) на Окт 28, 2020 в 12:19 PDT

Earlier this year, Dream State released an invigorating lockdown-inspired video for ‘Are You Ready To Live‘ at the end of June. Originally planned to feature exclusive live footage, the YouTube description confirmed that the filming was interrupted by the global pandemic and the band “saw this as a chance to get creative and involve [the] dreamers with a collection of footage that exudes positivity and light”. More recently, the initial line-up announcement of the re-scheduled 2000 Trees festival confirmed Dream State among the main support acts for Thrice on 9 July 2021, alongside Young Guns, Boston Manor and Laura Jane Grace.

Dream State return to the live stage with a UK tour in April and May 2021, followed by a performance at Slam Dunk 2021 in Leeds and Hatfield. The band’s current line-up consists of CJ Gilpin (vocals), Aled Evans (lead guitar), Rhys Wilcox (rhythm guitar and backing vocals) and Jamie Lee (drums).

‘Monsters’.
An anthem of love.
World premiere on @BBCR1 @AnnieMac / October 28th, 7pm. pic.twitter.com/8sPlgKje8S

— DREAM STATE (@DreamStateUK) October 26, 2020

The quartet was set to drop a music video that was going to include a compilation of live shows and footage from their tour, but given the current climate that was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid –19. This resulted in the band losing the ability to create content for their upcoming music video.

However, there was a silver lining! The band used their socials to reach out to their fans, asking them to send them footage of themselves singing along to the song while being in lockdown and stuck at home, “2020 has been a tough year for the world, but we hope this can bring a little happiness and connection to you too.”  

‘Are You Ready To Live? Celebrates fans coming together to make light of a dark situation, while sending their home videos they were able to feel part of something bigger and really be connect with the band’s single.

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A post shared by DREAM STATE (@dreamstateuk) on Jun 24, 2020 at 2:03am PDT

Vocalist from Dream State, CJ Gilpin explains what ‘Are You Ready To Live?’ really means to her in an interview with Rock Sound, “We all at some point in our lives hit rock bottom, and the only road from there is one of change – only you can really pick yourself up and find the meanings that fit you. To be a fully whole being, you must first conquer your fears and pain by yourself; this life is the journey of self and no one can live it like you. No one will see it like you. Are you ready to live?” 

You can watch Dream State’s Are You Ready To Live?’ here. 

Dream State are one to watch on the scene as they won Best UK Breakthrough Heavy Act at the Heavy Music Awards in 2019 and Primrose Path was met with excellent reviews across the globe. While also receiving the Kerrang! Award for Best Newcomer, which has been previously won in the past by rock royalty such as, Asking Alexandria, Neck Deep and Royal Blood. 

Make sure to check out their debut album if you haven’t already!