The Barcode Bandits drop heartbreak anthem “Red” with lyric video from latest album Recoded
The Barcode Bandits drop heartbreak anthem “Red” with lyric video from latest album Recoded
South Africa’s alt-rock rebels The Barcode Bandits are back—and they’re bleeding red. The Gauteng-based trio has just unleashed their brand-new single “Red”, a blistering, emotional gut-punch taken from their new album Recoded.
Formed in the chaos of 2012, The Barcode Bandits have been tearing through stages and shredding sound systems for over a decade. With a résumé that includes live destruction alongside Francois Van Coke en die Gevaar, Hellcats, Jack Parow, Mi Casa, Shortstraw, and even US touring firestarter Brett Newski, these guys are no strangers to the frontlines of South Africa’s alternative scene.
“Red” marks a deeply personal departure into more emotionally-charged territory, without losing their signature full-throttle rock fury.
“‘Red’ is a song about heartbreak and the deep sense of loss that comes with it,” the band shares. “It captures the struggle of learning to live without someone who once felt like a part of you. The late-night thoughts, the quiet pain, the burning memories—it’s all there.”
Anchored in a raw, melodic drive and layered with haunting vocals and grinding guitar lines, “Red” hits hard and lingers long. The track was born out of real-life heartache, written from the kind of personal place that makes each lyric feel like it’s echoing your own story.
“‘Red’ is more than a song—it’s a persona,” says the band. “It represents the intensity of heartbreak—the burning emotions, the lingering pain, and the struggle to let go. It’s the color of love, passion, and pain all wrapped into one.”
Having spent over a decade fine-tuning their sound onstage, the Bandits have sculpted “Red” into a battle cry for anyone who’s ever tried to move on while their heart still lingers in the past. The recording process—starting with that familiar haunting click track—was as relentless as it was cathartic, layering live-tested energy with painstaking production detail.
Recoded is available now on all digital platforms.
