Why it is trending: Tidetied’s “Valley” is drawing attention as the latest project from former members of The Blinders and Children Of The State, sparking curiosity about whether this new supergroup can recapture the raw intensity of their past bands.
Tidetied marks the next evolution for Thomas Haywood, formerly frontman of The Blinders, alongside John McCullagh and Nathan Keeble of Children Of The State. With roots stretching from Doncaster to Manchester and Sheffield’s fertile indie scenes, the trio bring serious pedigree to this new venture. The Blinders’ early records — particularly Columbia and Fantasies of a Stay at Home Psychopath — earned acclaim for their Orwellian politics and literary ambition, so expectations for Haywood’s next move were always going to be high.
“Valley” hints at that songwriting intelligence, with Haywood’s unmistakable voice still capable of cutting through with poetic turns of phrase and understated intensity. The track blends a subtle Townes Van Zandt-inspired country undertone with washes of distortion, creating a textured but restrained soundscape. While the song shimmers with potential, it leans into subtlety rather than the fiery conviction that once defined Haywood’s work. Still, with other tracks like “Doesn’t Come Close” showing flashes of bolder ambition, Tidetied feel less like a fading echo and more like a project on the brink of rediscovering its edge.