San Francisco’s pop-punk and synth-pop-infused band, gloomy june, invites listeners to embrace the gritty side of vulnerability with their latest release, “back from the dead”. Combining elements of synth-pop, emo, and high-energy punk, gloomy june delivers a sound that is as raw as it is irresistible, adding a darkly compelling twist to their work. This acts as the follow-up to last year’s single “Good Times”.
Written by the band, themselves, consisting of Alexi Belchere, Ash Hyatt, Devin Nelson, and John Sundquist, whilst it was recorded and produced by Ivan Garcia, “back from the dead” is an addictive punk-rock number that has a late ’00s nostalgia mixed with current pop-rock trends that definitely puts this band at the forefront of rock music. The strong instrumental backing beat mixes effortlessly with Alexi Belchere’s iconic and emotional vocals as she delves into vulnerability that we can all relate to. The track leaves listeners wanting to hear more and making us super excited for their forthcoming debut album.
This illuminating journey takes listeners through the fears of self-acceptance and the impulse to use love as a way to avoid deeper insecurities. The band combines bittersweet guitar riffs with anthemic synth beats and pulsating drums, creating a soundtrack that is both uplifting and introspective. As gloomy june’s sound navigates between high-tempo beats and reflective moments, it provides the perfect foundation for Belchere’s introspective lyrics to shine through.
As for the music video, directed by Kevin Burleigh Productions, the band takes viewers on an immersive journey through a graveyard, providing an unexpected backdrop that strikes a balance between humour and melancholy. Frontwoman Alexi Belchere embraces her own sense of vulnerability, wielding a bouquet and rolling over her own grave in a symbolic portrayal of recovering from emotional turmoil. The video is a bold reminder that while relationships may falter, leaving us “buried” under their weight, there’s always a path to rise again and rediscover joy.
“‘back from the dead’ is the first offering from our debut full-length, which we worked on for a year,” Belchere explains. “In the process of writing for the LP, I wanted to reach further into vulnerability with my lyrics. I was trying to do more than just state my own feelings. I wanted to dig deeper down and explore the layer beneath what I thought I was trying to say.”
“So, for example,” she continues. “I’d start out writing about feeling uncertain with opening up in a new relationship—say, because of past trauma—and I’d end up groping around my discomfort with myself. I also explored the idea of how we sometimes use new love as a means of escaping reality. If you follow your longing, your rejection and your hurt, you get to the source of those feelings and it’s like an entire underground cave to shine a light on. That process of illumination is what excites me so much about our new material.”
The single’s cover art, created by Gryme, featuring the band gathered at a mausoleum’s entrance, encapsulates the band’s signature contrast: themes of grief, hope, and transformation, all brought to life through infectious rhythms that encourage listeners to face their darker emotions head-on. As fans await the debut album, gloomy june promises more live shows at LGBTQ+ and punk venues, giving fans a chance to dance along to the beat of heartfelt revelation.
“back from the dead”, by gloomy june, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Left Ghost Records. Get ready to join gloomy june on this wild, emotional ride and dance along to the rhythms of rebirth. For those seeking a musical experience that balances edge with authenticity, this track offers a compelling invitation.