Due to….many things, there is a lot of fantastic punk rock music coming out lately, and Cat Ridgeway proves that the genre needs to continue. Her new single “Epilogue” is infectiously catchy, getting stuck in my head from just one playthrough.

It is evident that live shows are a focal point of “Epilogue,” as I believe some songs are made to be played in front of people. She’s one to watch; if performance energy is strong enough to translate to a studio recording, an entertainer is not to be missed when they pass through your city on tour.

“Epilogue” is indicative of the various subgenres punk has blossomed into throughout the decades. It almost teeters into indie sleaze territory, with large fur coats in cheetah print paired with Jeffry Campbell spiked Litas immediately overtaking my mind as I listen to the lively track—bonus points for a waft of risidual cigarette smoke from the nice girls you met in the venue bathroom.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise in “Epilogue” is the layer of banjo, which I believe to be distorted? Do they make effects pedals for banjos?? Whatever is allowing the banjo to create that tone is doing an incredible job, as it is thoroughly intriguing for the senses.

Ridgeway provides her own spin on things, without trying too hard to fit into one specific subculture. Instead, she allows the music to take control, creating incredible audible paintings in the studio, which eventually transform into unforgettable live performances.