Buggin announce Concrete Cowboys LP out June 2nd on Flatspot Records.
Chicago hardcore band Buggin show off their ability to write fun, punchy songs with “Snack Run.” Blazing at a minute-long the track celebrates the past time of going to the corner song for some munchies, over some seriously bouncy riffs. The video for the song follows the band grabbing some of their favorite treats alongside cameos from labelmates Scowl and Zulu.
Following first single “All Eyes On You,” today the band shares the next taste of the record with “Not Yours.” The lyrics takes on a more serious tone for the band, delving into the tokenization of women and non-binary folks in the hardcore scene, as vocalist Bryanna Bennett proclaims “call us female fronted you can eat my fist.” The song itself highlights the band’s punchy, shout-along style built on potent rhythms and made for two-stepping.
Expanding on “Not Yours”, vocalist Bennett states:
“A more personal one about dealing with the tokenization of being seen as a girl in hardcore. I’m non-binary and I hate being thrown in ‘female fronted’ categories. We just want to rock without people making it weird or only liking us for that reason.”
Buggin is here to have a good time. The band announces their long-awaited first full-length, Concrete Cowboys, set for release June 2nd on Flatspot Records. The songs are vibrant, groovy, and real, mixing more playful elements with cathartic moments. First taste comes in “All Eyes On You,” a blistering track bringing to mind bands like Bad Brains and Righteous Jams. Vocalist Bryanna Bennett gives a punchy delivery, and they are joined halfway through the song by labelmate and fellow Chicagoan Kharma vocalist, Jordan Moten.
Speaking on the lyrics, Bennett exclaims:
“This one is about people that are annoying on the internet whether it’s spreading horrible misinformation online or oversharing or creating fake personas for attention and clout. These people want all eyes on them.”
Formed in 2019, Buggin broke out with a demo that same year and the title Concrete Cowboys comes directly from that release. The album follows 2021’s Buggin Out EP, and singles “Brainfreeze” (2021) and “Attitude” (2022). Working with producer Andy Nelson at Bricktop Studios and with mastering by Brad Boatright at AudioSiege, Buggin have created an enthralling 12 songs. On tracks like “Snack Run” and “The Customer Is Always Wrong,” it’s clear the band aren’t afraid to have a little fun while singing about everyday occurrences. They also offer up a more serious side with “Hard 2 Kill,” written as a self-empowerment anthem, and “Not Yours” delves into the tokenization of women and non-binary folks in the hardcore scene.
With the release of Concrete Cowboys, Buggin continues to keep their be true to yourself mentality and push towards a bright future in hardcore.