Though Santa Cruz quintet Scowl aren’t quite ready to pull their new Are We All Angels LP down from the hardcore heavens, the group have at least unveiled one more pre-release single in the lead-up to their debut release through new label home Dead Oceans Records. This time, they’re showing us a pop-jacent two-stepper called “B.A.B.E.”
The new tune — the title of which is an acronym for “Burned at Both Ends” — collides a furious, teeth-baring punk verse with a bouncier, more melodically-driven chorus — though the latter still sports a couple creep-mode chord pivots. Vocalist Kat Moss accordingly lunges between full-throated screams and infectiously tuneful threats throughout the cut, which the band say is a vitriolic look at “the extreme circumstances we as a band subject ourselves too in order to live our dreams.”
“‘Burned at Both Ends’ is another explosion of emotions stemming from both overwhelm and excitement,” they noted in a joint statement, adding that they also feel “that the song’s punchy nature and quick switches from melody to scrapping angst resembles a mature version of ‘Shot Down’ from our Psychic Dance Routine.”
The music video likewise taps into Scowl’s life on the road, with the behind-the-scenes visual travelogue presenting shots of the band bashing things out onstage, as well as undertaking backstage gymnastics, side-of-the-highway moshes and other assorted shenanigans.
“B.A.B.E.” is the third single to arrive off Are We All Angels, following “Not Hell, Not Heaven” and “Special.”
Scowl’s new album was recorded alongside producer Will Yip (Turnstile, Title Fight, Mannequin Pussy, etc.), who also worked on 2023’s Psychic Dance Routine EP. The album was mixed by Rich Costey (Fiona Apple, My Chemical Romance, Vampire Weekend).
It’s due out April 4th and available for pre-order on limited-edition green vinyl at Revolver’s shop.