German indie group ACUA have been quietly progressing their sound since 2022’s ‘Is There More Past Or More Future’, and ‘Fearing and Facing the World’ is a glimpse into how far they’ve come: the lo-fi indie influence is less pronounced, the dynamics more considered, the emotional impact more direct.

The track harnesses contrast between quieter bridges and explosive choruses to push home the recurring line, “Fearing and facing the world is all I ever do”, a piercing statement delivered calmly before emotions become too much to bear.

What makes this release particularly notable is that it marks the first time drummer Caro Prinz takes the lead on vocals, and the choice pays off completely. There’s a vulnerability in that delivery that suits the song’s themes perfectly.

If this track is anything to go by, the UK tour in July is not to be missed.