Filthy Hippies Return with Dreamlike “Miserable” Music Video and New Album A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy
Cape Town’s cult psych-shoegaze collective, Filthy Hippies, are back with a kaleidoscopic new chapter. Their latest single, “Miserable,” is not just a standout track from their freshly released album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy—it’s also the centerpiece of a dreamlike new music video that mirrors the band’s signature blend of mood, distortion, and beauty. The album is out now via Mongrel Records.
Since first appearing on the South African alternative scene in 2018, Filthy Hippies have earned a loyal underground following through their immersive sonic palette and gripping live shows. Their music draws from the dreamy haze of shoegaze and the grit of psychedelic rock, with nods to bands like My Bloody Valentine and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, yet it carries a distinct South African edge that’s all their own. From intimate venues to festival stages like 2019’s Endless Daze, the band has consistently captivated fans with a raw, emotional energy.
Their latest release marks a fresh evolution. Founding members Andrew Paine (Vocals/Bass/Guitar), Mandy Backström (Bass/Vocals), and Tim Ball (Guitar) are now joined by Jan-Hendrik Van Wyk (Guitar) and Divan Swanepoel (Drums), expanding the lineup into a lush five-piece. The result is a richer, more layered sound that elevates their music both on stage and in the studio.
The music video for “Miserable” captures the essence of the band’s approach—pairing melancholic undertones with a strangely uplifting chorus. “We tried to contrast the melancholic vibe of Miserable with a cheerfully sung chorus that hints at the possibility that the protagonist is happy being unhappy,” explains frontman Andrew Paine. The visuals reflect this contrast beautifully: lo-fi textures, hazy overlays, and distorted performance shots draw the viewer into a world where discomfort and delight exist side by side.
The single is just one glimpse into A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy, an album that drifts through longing, nostalgia, and the hazy in-between spaces of the human experience. With fuzzed-out guitars and emotionally charged vocals, the record offers a sonic refuge for anyone who finds meaning in the melancholic. It’s introspective without being inaccessible, bold without being brash.
Listeners who appreciate emotional depth and immersive soundscapes—fans of Dangerfields, The Jesus and Mary Chain, or Spacemen 3—will find plenty to love in Filthy Hippies’ latest work. With “Miserable” and their new album, the band continues to prove that melancholy doesn’t have to be grey. Sometimes, it’s deeply colourful.
Watch the video for “Miserable” now and stream A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy on all major platforms.
