Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Hayley and the Crushers - "Alleyways"


Back with their second single from their forthcoming EP Unsubscribe from the Underground, Hayley and the Crushers are really hitting me where I feel it. Hayley Cain wrote "Alleyways" as a remembrance of her favorite teenage hangout spot and the local punk rock scene that meant everything to her. So many of us have cherished memories of being part of a punk rock community and basking in the freedom, excitement, and pure fun that came with it. With "Alleyways," the Crushers manage to capture that spirit in song. I sensed on the last single "Unsubscribe" that this band has really gotten back to its punk rock roots, and that feeling goes double for "Alleyways." The song is snappy & high-spirited while also having that wistful touch you'd expect when you're reflecting on memories that are now a couple decades old. Above all else, this song taps into the fundamental joy of punk rock as a way of life. This joy is palpable in the playing and the singing, and it comes through in the music video as well. Hayley and Dr. Cain have really done a remarkable job of growing their sound while still holding on to those qualities that make their band so special. And of course this new lineup is hot! I've got a feeling that fans are gonna go absolutely wild for "Alleyways"! Instantly, it becomes one of my favorite Crushers songs ever. If you have precious memories of DIY punk shows and the friends & connections you made there, you'll be feeling this song too. The full EP will be out in September on Kitten Robot Records! 

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