Photo by Marissa Dillon

The prolific Liquid Mike are already back after having a breakthrough year with 2024’s rock solid Paul Bunyon’s Slingshot, and their oh-so-needed emoted declarations on what it’s like being a person trying to survive in this hellscape timeline are more than welcome on “Groucho Marx”, the first of two early highlights off their forthcoming sixth effort, HELL IS AN AIRPORT‘. Maybe it’s because it’s all too easy to mark out for a song with big, burly riffs that hook in the anthems without abandon, but the Marquette, Michigan band led by vocalist and guitarist Mike Maple really do corner all of their scenes here in short order, whether you’ve penchant for loud and rumbly indie-rock, tuneful melodic hardcore, or grungier alternative. “You really don’t wanna know / What you ask in the mirror / You’re gonna curl up and die? / Okay, so am I,” he sings in its tail end. The whole thing sounds like you’re ready to face the world after rolling out of bed 20 minutes late, barely giving two fucks what you’re wearing — mismatched socks, hair’s a mess, not even shaven — and realizing you’re going about your day looking that way to no one’s notice anyway.

Liquid Mike’s HELL IS AN AIRPORT will be self-released September 12th.