Scowl Announce ‘All We All Angels’ With An April 4th Release Date on Dead Oceans 

Santa Cruz’s Scowl is back, and they’re pushing boundaries like never before. Known for their venomous, fierce, and antagonistic hardcore sound, the band is set to release their sophomore album, Are We All Angels, on April 4 via Dead Oceans. With this record, Scowl is channeling their raw aggression through a more expansive lens, exploring themes of alienation, grief, and self-determination.

Scowl emerged in 2019 from the vibrant Bay Area hardcore scene, born from connections made at Berkeley’s iconic 924 Gilman Street.

Vocalist Kat Moss joined forces with guitarist Malachi Greene and drummer Cole Gilbert, later rounding out the lineup with bassist Bailey Lupo and guitarist Michael Bifolco. Since then, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with, sharing stages with legends like Circle Jerks, Touché Amoré, and even Limp Bizkit. Their reputation for electrifying live performances has landed them on the bills of major festivals, including Coachella, Sick New World, and Reading and Leeds.

Are We All Angels is a bold leap forward for Scowl. While retaining their hardcore roots, the album incorporates melodic and textured elements that might surprise long-time fans. Tracks like “Not Hell, Not Heaven” tackle narratives imposed by outsiders. “It’s about feeling victimized and being a victim, but not wanting to identify with being a victim,” Moss explains. The song’s music video, filmed at 924 Gilman Street, is a nod to the band’s origins.

Other standout tracks include “Fantasy,” which grapples with feelings of alienation within the hardcore community, and the introspective title track, “Are We All Angels.” The latter leaves its philosophical questions open-ended, encouraging listeners to confront their own struggles between good and evil.

Scowl’s evolution owes much to Grammy-nominated producer Will Yip (Turnstile, Code Orange), who worked closely with the band to refine their sound. “Will really helped restructure a lot of the material,” Moss says. “Some songs he tore apart to make more space for the really good hooks and choruses.”

The band’s influences stretch far beyond hardcore, with nods to Billie Eilish, Radiohead, and Julien Baker. This eclecticism is evident in Moss’s vocal delivery, which shifts from ferocious screams to delicate harmonies. “We might not know what we’re doing, but we have a better idea of what we want to do,” she says.

Despite their evolving sound, Scowl remains deeply committed to punk’s ethos and community. “Hardcore and punk have sculpted how we operate and what we want to do as a band,” says Greene. “At our core, we are a punk and hardcore band, regardless of how the song shifts and changes.”

Are We All Angels is the follow-up to Scowl’s explosive 2021 debut, How Flowers Grow, and their critically acclaimed 2023 Psychic Dance Routine EP. The new album was recorded by Will Yip at Studio 4, mixed by Rich Costey at Apocalypse Sound in Vermont, and mastered by Howie Weinberg and Will Borza. Additional engineering was provided by Josh Fernandez, Justin Bartlett, Phil Odom, and Dan Burke.

Scowl has released the album’s lead single, “Not Hell, Not Heaven,” alongside a striking music video directed by Sean Stout. Filmed at 924 Gilman Street, the visual captures the essence of Scowl’s roots while hinting at the band’s new direction.

Kat Moss describes the track as a reclamation of personal power: “You have to deal with whatever you’re dealing with, and it ain’t working for me.”

Are We All Angels drops April 4, 2025, and promises to solidify Scowl’s position as one of the most innovative bands in the hardcore scene. With a relentless touring schedule and a sound that’s both rooted in punk and reaching for the stars, Scowl is a band you won’t want to miss.