On their new single, “Brake,” Atlanta rockers StarBenders stay dedicated to the punked-up ’90s grunge sound they’ve been developing since dropping their 2014 self-titled debut. The overall tone is roughly similar to an old-school slasher film: edgy and disturbed. Drummer Katie Herron furiously marches the tempo along with guitars buzzing chromatically in the background, while frontwoman Kimi Shelter lets loose with a sense of both intensity and vulnerability. The song reeks of angst, regret and obsession — themes that occupied and infested so many of our teenage selves.

The emotionally transparent rawness that Shelter exhibits is most evident in the eerily dark yet dance-worthy chorus. She belts out her vocals with a commanding growl right before the group slams back into the moody tension of the verse. The eventual bridge offers a nice change-up from the intensity of the rest of the song with open, jazz-style chords and a groovy, melodic bass line helping to bring a majestic yet murky intonation to an otherwise calamitous storm. Listen below.

“Brake” will be available as the A-side of an upcoming 7-inch to be released by Institution Records on August 18. In support of the record, the band is heading out on a two-week tour that will take them through parts of the Southeast, Midwest and East Coast. Check out the list of dates below.

StarBenders 2015 Tour Dates
Aug 19 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn Birmingham
Aug 20 – Nashville, TN – The Basement
Aug 21 – Indianapolis, IN – Melody Inn
Aug 22 – Louisville, KY – Seven Sense Festival
Aug 23 – Columbus, OH – Spacebar
Aug 24 – Detroit, MI – Northern Lights
Aug 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – Howlers
Aug 27 – Rochester, NY – Flour City Station
Aug 30 – New York, NY – Piano’s
Aug 31 – Brooklyn, NY – Pine Box
Sep 02 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Saint

More Info
Web: starbenders.band
Facebook: @starbenders
SoundCloud: @StarBenders
Twitter: @STARBENDERS