On their debut single, Are You Mad at Me?, Boston grungepunk band Bangwell Putt blend pop-punk, grunge and alternative rock into something direct, rebellious and instantly catchy: the kind of song that makes you want to jump around, shout along and let everything out at once. Short and fast-paced, it captures the spiralling feeling of anxiety with striking accuracy.
The guitars sound powerful and raw, driven by repetitive riffs that give the track an extra punch. The bass adds weight, while the drums lock into a fast, relentless beat. Rachel Hock shifts between melody, screams and spoken delivery, bringing together the urgency of Winona Fighter and the straightforward, playful punk of Bratmobile.
Everything revolves around a single question: “Are you mad at me?”. Repeated over and over, it becomes an immediate, infectious hook, but it also mirrors the way a small doubt can circle endlessly in your head until it turns into panic, guilt and paralysis.
The single’s greatest strength lies in the way it transforms insecurity and unease into a burst of anger and energy, with an emotional intensity reminiscent of Destroy Boys. All that uncertainty ultimately erupts into something brief and liberating. As a debut, “Are You Mad at Me?” makes a strong impression and leaves us eager to hear where Bangwell Putt go next.
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