Booster Club Unleashes a Bold and Cathartic Anthem with New Single “Something’s Off (Darren’s Song)”
Emerging from the thriving indie-rock scene of Raleigh-Durham, Booster Club is here to inject the spirit of College Rock Revival™ into the veins of a post-pandemic world. This trio, formed in 2021, has quickly gained attention with their potent mix of alternative rock sensibilities, throwing a lifeline to those yearning for the raw, rebellious energy of the ‘80s and ‘90s college radio era. Their latest single, “Something’s Off (Darren’s Song),” showcases the band’s ability to balance discontent with a glimmer of hope, delivering a heady blend of introspection, chaos, and unforgettable hooks.
Fronted by the impassioned vocals and incisive guitar work of Steven Bailey (Indiobravo, The Jaded Rakes), backed by the rumbling bass lines of Alan Levine (Bob Funck Band, Coytah), and held steady by Joey Zielazinski’s (Secretary Pool, The Softeners) dynamic drumming, Booster Club is more than just a nostalgia act. While they wear their influences — The Replacements, Pixies, and Hüsker Dü — proudly on their sleeves, the band forges their own path, blending forward-thinking post-rock elements with the timeless grit of indie classics.
“Something’s Off (Darren’s Song)” is a masterclass in distilling complex emotions into razor-sharp rock. Born out of a series of unsuccessful drummer auditions, the track channels the sting of rejection into something cathartic, twisting frustration into a defiant roar. The song fits seamlessly into the sonic palette of the band’s upcoming EP ‘Year of the Draggin’, which explores escapism through the lens of characters weighed down by life’s emotional and societal baggage. It’s in these moments of vulnerability and struggle that Booster Club finds their most compelling voice, creating music that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Musically, “Something’s Off” straddles the line between chaos and clarity, teetering on the edge of dissonance but never losing its footing. The track opens with angular, jagged guitar riffs that slice through the air, setting an anxious, almost claustrophobic tone. There’s an unshakable urgency in the driving rhythm, an energy that feels on the brink of exploding at any moment. Yet, Bailey’s measured vocals — both raw and melodic — keep the track from spiraling out of control. His lyrics deliver the biting sentiment of rejection: the frustration of being dismissed without clear explanation, the instinct to deflect that rejection, and the eventual realization that sometimes it’s not about fixing what’s broken, but finding a new path altogether.
This emotional arc is encapsulated in the chorus, where the instrumentation swells with a palpable tension, and the band finds its footing in a chant-like mantra: “Maybe it’s not me / Maybe it’s something you can’t see.” It’s a battle cry for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in — an empowering message that leans into the notion that rejection doesn’t have to define you.
At its core, “Something’s Off (Darren’s Song)” is about more than a failed audition — it’s an anthem for the misfits, the outcasts, and anyone who has felt sidelined in life. Booster Club taps into the deep well of human emotion that accompanies these experiences, offering a sonic refuge for those who feel held back by circumstances or unfulfilled potential. The song resonates with the frustration of those who have been rejected by a partner, a job, or a community, and yet, instead of wallowing in that frustration, it pushes forward — towards something new, something that feels like home.
Throughout ‘Year of the Draggin’, Booster Club continues this theme of pushing back against life’s confines. Each track offers a snapshot of someone trying to escape a stifling situation, whether it’s the grip of a toxic relationship, the suffocating monotony of a dead-end job, or simply the desire to break free from a life that no longer fits. But as much as these songs are about the chains that bind us, they’re also about the hope that comes from breaking free, finding solace in movement, and discovering the light at the end of the tunnel.
In a post-pandemic landscape where uncertainty and frustration often feel like daily companions, Booster Club’s music hits with a heightened sense of urgency. The band’s ability to channel their own anxieties, frustrations, and rejections into a propulsive, energizing sound makes ‘Year of the Draggin’ not only a timely release, but a necessary one. With “Something’s Off (Darren’s Song),” Booster Club captures a moment of deflection and transformation, proving that even in the face of rejection, there’s always a way to turn things around.
For those who crave the nostalgic bite of college-rock while searching for something that speaks to modern dilemmas, Booster Club delivers. Their blend of art-rock chaos, anthemic hooks, and emotional depth sets them apart from the sea of revivalists. “Something’s Off (Darren’s Song)” doesn’t just look back — it looks forward, propelling us all toward a future where, despite setbacks, there’s always a song to carry us through.
As ‘Year of the Draggin’ prepares to drop on September 20th, expect Booster Club to leave a lasting imprint on the alt-rock landscape, proving that the College Rock Revival™ is more than a throwback — it’s a testament to the enduring power of music that speaks to the misfits and dreamers who refuse to be pinned down. And in “Something’s Off (Darren’s Song),” they’ve crafted the perfect rallying cry for anyone who’s ever been told they don’t quite fit.
