RECKONER RELEASE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED NEW SINGLE 'IFAILME'

Scott O'Shea
Jul 4
2 min read

Close-up of an upside-down face with red lips. Soft lighting, skin texture visible. Text "ifailme" in center. Surreal and artistic mood. — RECKONER - IFAILME

Midlands post-hardcore outfit Reckoner shared their emotionally charged new single, ‘ifailme’, alongside it’s captivating music video, on March 11th, 2025. Capturing the raw emotional weight of self-loathing and the inevitable stumble into failure that many of us feel but rarely express, ‘ifailme’, mixed by the bands very own Dave Tidmarsh & mastered by Mike Kalajian (Bad Omens, Saosin, Periphery), reflects Reckoner’s cinematic inspirations.

“Lyrically, ‘ifailme’ dives into the human condition, grappling with themes of comparison and inadequacy”, shares vocalist Phil Sparks. “Lines such as ‘All my friends are strong, I’ll never be like them’ strike a nerve, drawing on the danger of measuring oneself against others.”

“‘ifailme’ is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by their own failures. The song’s explosive finale is more than just a musical crescendo - it’s a cathartic release of angst & self-doubt”, Sparks continues.

Mixing aggression with cinematic sound score & sound design, the fast rising post-hardcore band, Reckoner, released their debut EP ‘I Am What You Will Become’ to raving reviews. Support from tastemakers at BBC Radio 1 and Spotify earned the band early recognition in the UK alternative scene.

Known for their raw, high-energy live shows, Reckoner were quick to play festival main stages & jump on shows with acts such as Heart Of A Coward and The Five Hundred. With ‘The Emergence Tour’ set for March 2025, they continue to build momentum as one of the scene’s most promising new acts.

Novacaine Rating: 10/10

"We first discovered RECKONER back in February when they supported The Five Hundred at their ‘GHOSTWRITER’ album launch show in Nottingham. That night, Reckoner completely blew us away — so much so that we highlighted their performance in our live review.

To our delight, the band later reached out, sharing their latest single ‘ifailme’ and offering a sneak peek into what’s next. These kinds of genuine connections mean everything to us. We’re incredibly grateful to artists like Reckoner who not only take the time to engage, but also show love in return. The feeling is very much mutual.

With ‘ifailme’, Reckoner aren’t changing direction — they’re simply showcasing the full scope of their talent. The track leans into a more atmospheric and cinematic space, adding depth and emotion without losing any of the grit they’re known for. It’s like The Five Hundred and Bad Omens had a lovechild — polished, intense, and undeniably heartfelt. And just when you think they’ve gone full mood, the track delivers a beautifully disgusting drop near the end, hitting hard with that signature Reckoner energy.