Bad Copy

Brooklyn post-punk trio HYPEMOM has released two new singles “SOPAT” and its counterpart “Dolphin Shoals.” The dual singles mark the second installment of the HYPEMOM CLASSICS single series: a batch of misfit hits, recorded with Alex Mead-Fox at Spaceman Sound years before the pandemic and finally receiving a proper release. It’s a high-energy blend of Y2K Punk and Indie with all the ADHD songwriting and music school drop-out chops to keep things raggedly catchy.

Thematically, the double A-side covers all the usual HYPEMOM territory: emotional growth, self sabotage, primetime network game shows, political disenfranchisement, unhealthy relationships, and Mario Kart. Side one, “SOPAT”, began as an experiment in swapping the usual willowy riffs and sauntering basslines for a more blaring, dissonant texture. Lyrically, it’s a breakup song for people in their thirties. A time when you know how you’re supposed to act, but can’t always stick the landing. When learned restraint and petty muscle memory are trading bars, ping-ponging between honest self reflection and dancing away your problems. 

Side two, “Dolphin Shoals”, tackles imposter syndrome the touch-football way. It’s the all-too-common experience of being unable to trust, appreciate, or even settle for oneself — a self that’s weighted down with snark from having aged out of Brooklyn years ago. Swaddled in sinuous guitar lines, questionable rhythm changes, and church-grade call and response vocals, it’s a full-throated commitment to false bravado. Or maybe it’s just about playing 48 races on random and hoping fate will guide you to Dolphin Shoals.

Stream both songs below and keep a look out for the band this Fall, as they will be playing a string of local shows with all their favorite Brooklyn friends.