Bay Area hardcore band Scowl has signed with the venerable Dead Oceans label (hoebe Bridgers, Mitski, Japanese Breakfast), and to celebrate, they’ve released ‘Special’ along with a video for it.

Produced by Grammy-nominated Will Yip (who also worked on the band’s EP ‘Psychic Dance Routine’) and mixed by Rich Costey (Fiona Apple, Deftones, Vampire Weekend), track boasts big rock arena appeal while retaining Scowl’s raw intensity. If pop and hardcore were to unite, ‘Special’ would be their rebellious offspring. Vocalist Kat Moss shares her thoughts on the song:

“Originally Malachi sent in the demo while we were touring the UK. Cole added his flare on drums, Bailey directed the bridge, and finally Mikey cooked up his leads. ‘Special’ is a kamikaze. The lyrics are about threatening the audience by asking “what do you really want?” in clear desperation to answer my own question “What do I really want?” But the answer is simple, I want to feel alive.”

Katrina Moss – Vocals. Malachi Greene – Guitar. Michael Bifolco – Guitar. Bailey Lupo – Bass. Cole Gilbert – Drums. Directed by Silken Weinberg. Director of photography Shane Bagwell. Producer Caris Kuhn. Editor Lena Redford. Camera assist Grace Gallagher. Gaffer Evan Cox. Best boy Anthony Yamamoto. Production design Ella Trimarchi. Production assistant Jeff Perry. Stylist Catherine Hahn. Styling assistants Caroline Macou, Ivy Hahn, Tiana Aiello, Keighty Gallagher. Hair & makeup Gabriella Mancha.

Lyrics:
Caught running away again
Thought by now I’d figured out
The hell of my undoing
It’s desperation to feel alive

I don’t wanna be special
Just tell them a lie
I don’t wanna be different
Just to stay alive
You just wanna hear my screams
Just to feel alive
Bring me back to my body

Is it in vain to think I’m worthy
Of standing for something
More than a body
I am nothing, I am everything
Failure finding balance in philosophy
I am nothing, I am everything

Lost faith, didn’t want it
Didn’t want things to be this way
Lost faith, didn’t want it
I can tell by the look on your face
You lost faith, you didn’t want this
Felt shame now you’re running away?
You lost faith, you didn’t want it
Didn’t want things to be this way

I don’t wanna be special
Just tell them a lie
I don’t wanna be different
Just to stay alive
You just wanna hear my screams
Just to feel alive
Bring me back to my body

Didn’t really wanna be myself
Now I never wanna see myself
Didn’t really wanna be myself
Now I never wanna see myself
I wanted to scream all the things that you do when you’re talking to me and manipulating
and I know I’m no angel
I think that’s okay
I need you to feel something,
sick and tired of waiting

I don’t wanna be special
Just tell them a lie
I don’t wanna be different
Just to stay alive
You just wanna hear my screams
Just to feel alive
Bring me back to my body

#Scowl #Special #DeadOceans