VIAL

I've been pretty angry with the state of the world lately. I'm sure there are a lot of people who can relate to that feeling. And in those moments, music—especially punk rock—can offer a sense of catharsis. VIAL is a punk band that I just recently discovered, and I'm kicking myself for not listening to them earlier. Their latest single, "NEVER BEEN BETTER," is a great example of artists being able to express their frustrations through art. Just the guttural repetition of the title at the end, along with lyrics discussing things like feeling as though you're losing years of your life, and the irritation toward people trying to tell you to just stay calm or relax. "NEVER BEEN BETTER" is just a solid rock song that also serves as a good introduction to VIAL. If you go on their socials, you'll see that punk isn't just an aesthetic for them. They really are a great example of a band using their music to address topics and issues that many of us can relate to.