King Azaz returns with new album Forever Green next month; listen to opening track “In June”

After making a formidable impact in 2016 with their Spiritus Mundi project, the Philly / Ithaca punk two-piece King Azaz took a bit of a break as singer-guitarist Christo Johnson pivoted to their equally awesome project Yarrow. This spring, Johnson teamed back up with drummer Sarah Schardt to record a new batch of King Azaz set for their third project and first full length release, Forever Green, out next month via Get Better Records.

The album’s opening track, “In June,” is a thrashing jam in the spirit of Pile and Pissed Jeans. Aggressive verses build to a melodic refrain of clean and soaring chords as Johnson sings about claustrophobic feelings and disconnecting from reality: “I can’t breathe with you under my skin,” goes one lyric.

The band took to Instagram to announce the release and share that the song is, in a way, about self care, and realizing when it’s needed.:

“In June” is about letting go of the people, places, and things that are no longer serving your growth as a person; about choosing to no longer live a dissociated existence because that which no longer serves you is controlling where you’re at mentally and emotionally. Letting go of that and learning to come home to yourself is a cycle I feel like I’m constantly repeating, and I’m here for it and the change that it brings.

Forever Green releases via Get Better Records on April 23rd; listen to “In June” below and pre-order the tape or digital album here, for Bandcamp Friday.