Premiere: Strawberry Moon Unleash Fiery Punk Anthem “Down In The Dirt”
After releasing one of Richmond’s best albums last year, rock quartet Strawberry Moon is roaring back with new material. Literally. The band’s newest single, “Down In The Dirt,” embraces the symbolism of a fallen dragon left in the ruins of its power to deliver a blazing punk sound that ignites a welcome fire in your ears. With thrilling vocals, clever lyrics, and cathartic hooks, this recording stands as their most enthralling work to date, showcasing the culmination of the brooding progression that began on 2022’s Habitual Creatures. Out everywhere on Friday, June 2nd, The Auricular is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of this riveting new single with an exclusive stream of the song below as well as some insight into the musical growth the band continues to enjoy.
It was just seven months ago that the band released Habitual Creatures, their first proper album as a fully realized band. Rooted in classic-post-punk sounds, the album housed tense and dancey rock grooves enriched by bellowing vocals that made each track pulse with infectious energy. This captivating release earned them a spot on the shortlist for the 2023 Newlin Music Prize, affirming their status as a true force in Richmond’s teeming music scene. However, it seems that Habitual Creatures was only a glimpse of what was to come from Strawberry Moon as they’re now showing us with this gritty and fierce song.
On “Down In The Dirt,” the band constructs a heavy, ripping sound from start to finish that provides an even stronger foundation for singer Katie Bowles to unload her captivating and powerful vocals. While we caught glimpses of this intensity on Habitual Creatures with the thundering chorus of “Magnolia Trees” and the sharp electric sound of “Creatures Of Habit,” “Down In The Dirt” extends those moments throughout the entire song, intensifying the band’s overall ferocity.
Lyrically, the song confronts failure and disappointment while also looking at the destructive nature we’re all capable of, whether by choice or by force. “It’s on all fire/ Did I do that?/ It’s not my fault/ You asked me to,” Bowles howls with disdain as the instruments slam around in the background. This lyrical journey is framed through the story of a dragon situated in a once vibrant garden, now ravaged and desolate. It’s a unique perspective on hitting rock bottom as one of the most powerful creatures in fiction finds itself weighed down by the burden of its own power, covered in muck and grime.
Bowles is never sullen as she conveys this story though. On the contrary, she approaches the song with a sense of reclamation conveyed through soaring vocals that climb higher with each verse and chorus. This brings fresh air to lift those tired, despondent wings back into a glorious and imposing flight. Also assisting on that ascent is the music itself, which is just as sensational as the vocals with bassist Gray Stephenson and drummer TJ Meade providing a thrashing beat that Liam McElroy sharpens into a piercing sound. Still dancey and tense like the music of Habitual Creatures, the band embraces a broader view of punk rock, but in doing so, they don’t necessarily abandon the cavernous sound of their previous work. Instead, they burrow deeper into it, exposing a core of seething emotion that requires an urgent, electric conduit. And this song is definitely that vessel, carrying listeners on a relentless and stirring journey that the band has brilliantly crafted here.
Their most potent and penetrating composition yet, “Down In The Dirt” confirms the cunning skill of Strawberry Moon and points to loftier heights the band is sure to reach on future releases.
“Down In The Dirt” comes out Friday, June 2nd on all streaming platforms, which you can pre-save now by visiting this link.
The same day it’s released, Strawberry Moon is celebrating the release of the single alongside Ten Pound Snail and Charm Offensive at The Camel for their First Fridays showcase. Tickets are $15 with doors opening at 9 PM. Check out the show flyer below.
