Knitting Circle – Safe Routes (self released)
York indie-pop-punk band Knitting Circle follow on from their 2024 debut EP with the release of single Safe Routes, calling for an end to all arms sales everywhere, an end to all wars.
Artist: Knitting Circle
Track: Safe Routes
Label: Self released
Released: 7 March 2025
Find it: Bandcamp | Spotify
As we barrel toward allowing history to repeat the most cruel and destructive moments, as all-powerful fools tell us empathy is the ‘fundamental weakness of Western civilisation’, and as we watch genocide happen from our doomscroll of social media protest may sometimes feel futile. In fact, it’s never been more vital and that protest can come in many forms, including song.
Enter York indiepop-punk band Knitting Circle (you’ll find members of Milky Wimpshake, Crumbs, Red Monkey and No Fit State here) with single Safe Routes. Introducing the track on Bandcamp Knitting Circle are direct in the purpose of the song. They said, “‘Safe Routes‘ encourages an end to all arms sales everywhere, and an end to all wars! No borders!’
And this track gets straight to that point from the opening lyric: ‘When there’s no safe routes / It is inhumane / People fleeing war / Should be cherished and loved’. Safe Routes is an invocation: if empathy is a weakness then let me be made frail under the weight of compassion, but let me not be wearied fighting for safety, liberation, and peace for all.
There is a timeless quality to the melody, lots of circling refrains from guitar and keys, pulling you in to the song and the statement. Opening with soft vocals delivered with the intent to compel the listener, Safe Routes builds until it is a full on call and response against the evils and the demand for ‘No borders!’. At this point, whether you are listening on headphones on your way to work, blasting it out in the kitchen as you wash the pots, or hearing this live you are transported to be standing shoulder to shoulder with those who won’t let cruelty, greed and division win.
The band released their debut EP Deciduous Climbers last year, which included political and personal statements, but was a softer introduction to the stance this band is set to take. But this is the love we need to sing about now – the love found for all our fellow humans, the strength from solidarity, the active participation in holding hope and creating peace, not merely weeping over the state of the world. We need protest right now and Knitting Circle are here with theirs.
Safe Routes by Knitting Circle is out now digitally. The band have pledged 100% of proceeds from Bandcamp sales of the single (after fees) will be donated to Campaign Against Arms Trade caat.org.uk.
Find Knitting Circle: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram
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Sarah Lay
A long-standing music journalist she's also co-founder of independent record label Reckless Yes, an author of novels, and when not messing around with words and music, a digital strategist.
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