PWR BTTM’s new song “LOL” showcases expansive depth

PWR BTTM | photo by Ebru Yildiz

PWR BTTM has been releasing pure gold tracks in anticipation of their upcoming (and incredibly highly-anticipated) sophomore album, Pageant. Songs “Big Beautiful Day” and “Answer My Text” have already shown that this album is going to be amazingly beautiful, and their newest release, “LOL” underlines, bolds, and all-caps that statement.

“LOL” shows PWR BTTM’s depth and talent in not only Weezer and blink-182-esque glam, garage jams, but also in slowing it down and reflecting on emotional topics, with lyrics confessing “I know that I’m always wrong / Laughing at me, I thought I belonged / I didn’t know you could take such a shape.” These powerful introspective words are backed by far-away opera singing, which turns out to be sung by co-frontperson Ben Hopkins’ own mother, Christiane Hopkins, which Hopkins shared on Twitter.

Though stripped down during the verses, “LOL” is far from stagnant in sound. Taking a hot-cold approach, the track jumps without warning from Hopkins’s crooning to brash, noise-filled guitar. This back and forth builds into the glorious ending jam, where Hopkins joins in the noise by wailing amongst a cacophony of cathartic, pain-filled, freeing happiness. (Warning: immediate headbanging is certain, so listen at your discretion.)

PWR BTTM appears at this year’s NON-COMMvention and also over at Union Transfer on June 17, with support from Tancred and Nnamdi Ogbonnaya. Get info on the Union Transfer show here, and listen to their newest track, “LOL,” below.