The Drawn Out’s Swallow my Pride: A Triumph of Indie Rock with the Soul of a Songwriter

Writing music can be a very personal experience. The entire singer songwriter genre and popularity stemmed from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and others being willing to sing about social issues from a very personal place. Some modern twists on that genre are Lore and Lana Del Rey who write incredibly personal and vulernable songs to much critical and commercial success. We all have a romanticised view of the artist sitting in a cabin and pouring themselves onto the page…no edits…no studio…just artistic brilliance. But, what happens when introspection goes wrong? What if it steers you the wrong way? How can we find our way through the dark forest of the self to find truth?

These are heavy questions. Many of which have been written about for thousands of years. Fortunately for you dear reader, you can skip all that and listen to an amazing track by The Drawn Out instead. The band consists of sisters Cassidy Guttormson and Mackenzie Harlan, as well as Paul Harlan, Johnny Moses, and Malena Roberts. You may remember Cassidy and Mackenzie from previous talk about their previous band Moses…who had some of the best harmonies in the business. Well, the band has an indie triumph on their hands that is both bare bones Fugazi-esque rock and complex vulernable storytelling.

Before we go too far, let’s take a look at the music. The track reminds me a lot of how Fugazi structured the track Waiting Room, but without the chaos. Where at times Fugazi resembles the frenzy of running away from a killer in a slasher movie, Swallow my Pride is more deliberate…more surgical…it’s the sniper on the roof with no wasted movement. Much like Fugazi, a strong bass line and snappy drums really drive the track and give a spine of everything else to hang off of. The guitar riffs and feedback screeches will bring a smile to any late 80s/90s punk fan, but it’s the chimes and expansive (yet subtle) touches in the background that freshen the track up and make it more than a genre throwback.

All the musical treats are great, but where this track really goes to the next level are the lyrics, vocals and a bridge that launches the track into the stratosphere. Remember Moses earlier in the review? Well, all those harmonies and folky vocals are still there. They may be wearing black leather and listening to Dead Kennedys, but under that edge they are still there. That is what I like about the vocal. There is a bit more of a rock edge, but that musical and folk core is still there grounding the track and giving it heart. You feel it. When the track goes into singing about “I’m so sick of singing about myself” you can feel the pain there. The pain of letting go of a relationship, realising they have done all they can and not blaming themselves for their partner. Sometimes you need to swallow your pride and face that you have to say “I’m done with you.” The harmonies and heart at the core of the vocal brings you on this personal journey with the band, and you are better for it.

First of all, he’s not worth it. Second of all, this is definitely a top 10 track of 2025. This is a band that is ready to make a break. The music is very tight, the track is well written and the vocals are off the chart. It seems like all the factors are coming together and I hope this leads to more music.

Listen to Swallow My Pride