Alternative quartet Daytime TV have unleashed their most explosive work to date with the release of their pounding comeback single, ‘Pause’, forged in the turbulence of the modern world.
The track serves as a visceral response to a world spinning out of control and an urge to reclaim individual identity. It is the first release on the band’s new label, Marshall Records.
‘Pause’ marks a definitive shift for the band, fusing their signature “arena-ready ambition” (Kerrang!) with a darker, electronic pulse that mirrors the relentless intensity of the 2026 landscape, juxtaposing soaring, pounding energy with a computer-voice command to halt the chaos.
The song was written by singer Will Irvine and guitarist John Caddick, alongside renowned writer and producer Larry Hibbitt (Nothing But Thieves, Sundara Karma). The track blossomed into its final form when the band hooked up with one of the UK’s most exciting new producers in Pete Hutchings (Foals/Royal Blood/Adele/The Amazons).
Edinburgh-based singer Will Irvine said: “Everything felt so prescribed and inescapable and I needed to reclaim who I was. ‘Pause’ is about finding a way to fully let go and unearth your inner power amongst all the noise.”
Forged during a period of intense personal and global chaos, ‘Pause’ channels the reality of battling serious illness.
Irvine said: “Things are so wild right now and it sometimes feels like the world is speeding towards this cliff edge. Musically, we had this chorus that was just like a computer voice saying ‘press pause’, as if life was a video game where that’s possible. We want to make music that feels truly unique to us. That’s where the excitement lies for us.”
Inspired by the energy of artists like The Prodigy, it is part 90s rave, part modernity – or, as Will put it, “freeing, unapologetic, and exactly what we need”.
Caddick said: “Pete really understood the assignment of helping us make something bold and different that feels wholeheartedly us.”
The track comes with an intense new music video from director Matt Chandler, who said: “When I first heard the chaotic, glitchy and cerebral sound of ‘Pause’ I instantly could see a visually trippy, disorderly and lawless style music video, with many looks and styles colliding. It was from this initial idea that the Americana multiverse-motel was born.
“Working with Daytime TV on this crazy ambitious video was a real honour. We had such a good time playing around with the different worlds, creating characters and making the Pause video as chaotic as possible.”
Building on the momentum of a year spent in creative seclusion and a legacy of standout performances at BST Hyde Park and Mad Cool Festival, Daytime TV are no longer just “rising stars”; they are positioning themselves as the sonic conscience of a generation feeling the weight of a world “speeding towards a cliff edge”.
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