Payola’s forthcoming new single ‘Ivory Tickler’ is a snarling, straight-up rock’n’roll statement with bite, swagger and zero filter.
There’s no messing about here — Ivory Tickler sees the London 5-piece at their most direct, most confident and most dangerous.
This is rock’n’roll in its purest form.
From the first note, the track explodes into life with crunching guitars, a driving rhythm section and a groove that feels wired for sweaty venues and packed-out rooms. It doesn’t try to be clever — it just hits hard. And that’s exactly why it works.
This is easily the band’s strongest single to date.
But while the sound leans into that raw, no-frills rock’n’roll attitude, it’s the lyrics that give Ivory Tickler its edge. Inspired by the characters that orbit the music scene — the loudmouths, the blaggers, the ones who’ve “done it all” — Payola take aim with a sharp, observational lens.
And crucially, they don’t stop there.
The track also calls out the enablers — the ones who buy into the hype, lap up the nonsense and keep these figures front and centre. It’s a brutally honest take, delivered with a knowing smirk rather than a heavy hand.
You can picture every character. You’ve definitely met them.
Musically, everything feels locked in. The guitars carry that gritty, swaggering punch, the rhythm section drives it forward with intent, and the vocal delivery is full of attitude without ever tipping into overkill. There’s a looseness to it, but it’s controlled — the kind of confidence that only comes when a band truly know what they’re doing.
And that’s what makes this feel like a step up.
There’s no overthinking, no chasing trends — just a band backing themselves and delivering a track that feels authentic, alive and ready for the stage.
Ivory Tickler isn’t just a step forward — it’s Payola setting a new standard. It’s Rock’n’roll with purpose, punch and personality, delivered with the sound, swagger, soul and bite to back it up.
Ivory Tickler is released on Thursday 9th April.
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