Words By: Bre Offenberger

Australian rockers Stepson have released their latest single, “Who Are We?” with an accompanying video to kickstart hype for their forthcoming album, Help Me, Help You, due out March 26 via Sharptone Records. The single is a stark contrast from previous releases like the hardcore “The Entire History of You,” but this pop-punk banger is worthy of just as much praise.

The track starts with humming guitars that are immediately joined by soft drums, soon exploding into a pop-punk dream of stinging bass, racing guitars and pulsating beats. Frontman, Brock Alan Conry, doesn’t waste any time, coolly confronting his former significant other and saying he’s not allotting any second chances. He finally lets his frustration get the best of him in the chorus, screaming to make it clear that he doesn’t feel the need to apologize — because he isn’t sorry at all. A brief instrumental of stretching guitars gives Conry a second to simmer down, returning with a calmer demeanor, before he detonates for one last round of the chorus anyway.

The video opens with the band walking out to a dimly lit stage, but they’re missing someone: Conry. Suddenly, flashes of different people auditioning as the new leader of Stepson appear, some of whom are dressed like the Power Rangers. Guitarist Nick Bennett decides to unashamedly audition while shredding his guitar, but the band is not having it except for drummer Jordan McDonald, who’s enjoying every second of it. Handfuls of people continue to audition, including a boxer, middle-aged man and Stepson superfan, but no luck. Finally, Conry returns, and the entire band performs together on stage, but Bennett argues they should hire the boxer.

Of the track, Stepson shares: “As a band with a broad spectrum of musical influences, we really wanted to explore every sound and style that makes us who we are. We were determined to create a record where every song sounded different and was a standout in its own right. ‘Who Are We?’ is our punk rock anthem and captures a more upbeat and lighthearted side to the band.”

Bands like Stepson that are able to experiment as they please and continue to drop banger after banger deserve nothing but commendation. Help Me, Help You is bound to be a grand mixture of several genres, ranging from their roots of hardcore to stellar pop-punk tracks like “Who Are We?” If you’re a fan of bands like Capsize and Conveyer, you’ll inevitably love Stepson and the variety they have to offer.