The Linda Lindas ft. Hayley Williams’ Closer: A Punk Rock Match Made in Heaven

The Linda Lindas burst on the scene with Racist, Sexist Boy in 2021. At the time, these teens and pre-teens were putting out some raw activist punk about feminism, identity and belonging…plus they were just fire. On the other hand, Hayley Williams has been a rock mainstay for years with a Grammy for her band Paramore, critical acclaim for her solo work and a few side projects. A team up with some up and coming punk talent with an acclaimed rockstar is an exciting proposition. So, let’s see what this team up created.

I love the Linda Lindas. Even though they are young and have recently broke through, many of the members have been playing music together since 2020. This time together pays off in how tight the band is musically. Skater punk crunch, snapping drums and wall of sound hooks have an organic DIY feel, but are timed to perfection. Much like great jazz, there are no wasted notes or riffs in this track. Everything has a role and it all comes together to give the track a propulsive energy that sweeps you off your feet. You can feel a bit of 90s / early 2000s pop punk / skater punk in here…you can get hints of Descendents and NOFX popping up every now and then. Having said that, the track never seems like a throwback…I think skate/pop punk ages the best and manages to stay fresh decade after decade. I think the wall of sound hooks modernises this tried and true formula.

The track itself is a coming of age story about identity, anxiety and finding your place in the world. Lyrics about burning inside, feeling frozen and “just how long ’til I break” add to a claustrophobic feeling of just trying to survive the day. We can all relate to these intense, and often conflicting, feelings as we try to find our places in the world. Hayley Williams comes in on the chorus to give the track an etherial lift and added dimension. It’s impressive how Williams and the Linda Lindas come together seamlessly on an intoxicating hook.

I adore this song and it’s great to see the Linda Lindas going from strength to strength. Their musicality is still top notch and their songwriting continues to evolve. I also love how they are pairing up with big hitters in rock. This not only adds to their street cred, but keeps their sound moving forward. I’m really excited for this album to come out and see what other collabs are on the horizon.

Listen to Closer