Proper. release a deeply powerful and emotional new track ‘Jean’ - a tribute to a friend, a regretful lamentation and damning critique of the carceral system. Singer/guitarist Erik Garlington sings in an unflinchingly honest manner about his experiences and relationships over suitably melancholic music, "This track is regret. We all have friendships that ended ugly or just too soon. Jean was that friend. At 23 was certain I had it all figured out and that I didn't need anybody in my life who'd ever slighted me. I'd end friendships over the smallest offence. It wasn't until Jean died that I was forced to reevaluate that and ask myself how many other friendships I was willing to let end so abruptly.” The track is a raw and difficult listen - the outro uses a clip from a news report that details the tragic passing of Jean and the horrific conditions he was placed in, but serves as an example of how music can be used to express complicated emotions and address difficult situations and it’s ability to pay tribute to and memorialise a life. Proper.’s new album The Great American Novel is due out on Big Scary Monsters and Father/Daughter Records on 25th March. -Toby Evans-Jesra