“HEADS UP” WELCOMES IN THE SONIC WORLD OF NEW POP-PUNK BAND, UNDERBROOK

Thank god—it’s 2005 again. Grab your LimeWire libraries and Zune MP3 players, we’re gearing up to write the angstiest AIM away message of all time. However, new artists like Underbrook are providing fresh sounds to the scene, giving it life after the initial post-wave revival. Their single, “Heads Up,” offers fantastic pop-punk without leaning too heavily on nostalgiacore.

Everything sounds like a pop-punk song, from charged guitar distortion to a just-right nasal quality to the lead vocal. Lyrically, the track details a toxic breakup; look, we’ve all been there, so it makes for some really great music, even and especially now! Moreover, “Heads Up” grants audiences a chance to remember how fun pop-punk used to be, with all its quirks, charms, and clichés.

Though that is to say, all clichés in “Heads Up” feel like an intentional choice by Underbrook. This thesis is solidified by the music video, which features glitter bombs and campy visuals. Not everything needs to be taken so seriously all the time, including songs about heartbreak. Sometimes, music should be fun—we play music, after all!

Underbrook is off to a fantastic start. “Heads Up” provides the perfect summer soundtrack, whether you’re getting over the winter blues or need to vent some frustration about your favorite ex. Regardless, the track balances indie and pop-punk influences perfectly, making moshable moments for everyone listening.