Oral Habit

Oral Habit are a Brighton-based band led by Charlie and Felix Hales, documented by the Brighton Music Archive.

Years active	2022 – Present
Genres	Indie rock, Alternative, Psychedelic

Early beginnings as a project

The band began as a musical project for Charlie and Felix Hales, however, Charlie would primarily take the role as the sole consistent member throughout its lineups. The duo would start by releasing their debut single ‘You Make the Sun Cry’ in July 2023, followed by an expansion to a 3-piece with the addition of Finley Pritchard on Bass afterwards. August would bring the release of the medley ‘Panicked Son’ and ‘Stingray Steve’ as well as ‘Sonny’ and ‘Big Stiffle’ in September. Strangely, only Charlie Hales is credited on the last two.

Departure of Pritchard, further releases

After ‘Big Stiffle’ Pritchard would depart Oral Habit sometime afterwards and be replaced by Ferghal Hughes, Felix Hales may have also taken a hiatus from the project as he does not appear in credits during this period. The new duo would release the band’s first release of 2024 dubbed ‘Tears of Gold’ which was released in August. Shortly thereafter, Hughes would depart leaving Charlie as the only member of the band.

Hales rejoins, addition of Lewis and debut Album

The project would next release ‘Sauerkraut’ in March 2025 with Felix Hales returning for the release. The reunited duo would bring in Tippi Lewis to play bass in live shows promoting the single, but she would initially be used as a session player. The single would bring the group to performing at several festival slots including Homegrown Festival 2025 and The Alt Escape. Eventually, the trio would release the EP ‘Garade Frock’ in July although bass duties were performed by Charlie Hales. They would promote the EP with a tour whilst also releasing their next singles ‘The Glove’ in March 2026 and ‘Surface Breaker’ in April 2026. Finally, they would release their long anticipated debut album ‘A Broken Chord’ in June.

Album review of ‘A Broken Chord’ by Simon Lucas-Hughes for Louder than War

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Oral Habit： A Broken Chord – Album Review (21_09_2026 19：41：46)Download

Article on single ‘The Glove’ by Dexter Clark for Rapture Magazine

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Oral Habit – ‘The Glove’ (21_09_2026 19：43：31)Download

Album review of ‘A Broken Chord’ by Miles Milton-Jefferies for When the Horn blows

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Album Review： Oral Habit – ‘A Broken Chord’ — When The Horn Blows (21_09_2026 19：45：43)Download

Interview with Moof Magazine

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Band To Watch： Oral Habit – MOOF (21_09_2026 19：46：32)Download

Band highlight by Alexis Petridis, Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Laura Snapes for The Guardian

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Add to playlist： the ear-rattling psychedelia of Brighton’s Oral Habit and the week’s best new tracks ｜ Music ｜ The Guardian (21_09_2026 19：47：04)Download

Album review of ‘A Broken Chord’ by Danny Neil for Fruit Tree Records

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Oral Habit – A Broken Chord – Fruit Tree Records (21_09_2026 19：48：49)Download