Ways of Seeing "Cruel, Naturally"

Sounds from Ireland

25/08/2025 |

"Cruel, Naturally" by Cork-based band Ways of Seeing is a haunting and introspective dive into the lingering weight of inherited trauma, wrapped in the shimmering textures of shoegaze and the brooding energy of post-punk. Clocking in at 4'19'', the track pulses with atmospheric intensity, drawing clear echoes of The Cure and The Smiths while carving out a sound distinctly their own. As the third single from their upcoming album The Inheritance of Fear—set for release on October 10th—it deepens the album’s thematic core, exploring how emotional wounds and behavioral patterns are passed down through generations, often unconsciously. Inspired by Philip Larkin’s poem This Be The Verse, the song navigates the complex tension between love and legacy, empathy and resentment, capturing the quiet fury and resignation that come with realizing how deeply we’re shaped by the past.

Ways of Seeing unfold the narrative in fragmented, poetic glimpses—childhood memories, adult disillusionment, and the dawning awareness that some scars never fully heal. Lines like “No one ever makes it, to save themselves and save the born” underscore the near-impossible task of breaking destructive cycles while bearing the burden of inherited pain. Beyond overt trauma, the song also illuminates subtler legacies: silence, emotional absence, unspoken expectations—forces that mold identity as powerfully as any overt wound. Rooted in the Irish rock tradition of bands like Microdisney and Whipping Boy, Ways of Seeing blend intellectual depth with sonic intensity. Following the success of their acclaimed 2022 debut End Comes To Light and a string of powerful live performances, including a sold-out show at Whelan’s, the band is poised for even greater recognition. With their urgent new single Idolise already released and their sophomore album on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be the year Ways of Seeing truly step into the spotlight.