Photo by Kara Stowkowski

It’s been six years since Downtown Boys upended our current capitalistic reality with their blistering Sub Pop debut, Cost of Living. Obviously, a lot more shit has hit the fan in the time since. And yet, on “Sirena” — the latest highlight off the New York-by-way-of-Providence punk band’s new album, Public Luxury — the five-piece are, in their own brilliantly cacophonous way, asking you to find ground in what pulls into your focus, because in that focus comes the progress to move forward for the better.

“‘Sirena’ is often translated from Spanish into English as ‘mermaid.’ The idea of a sirena as a guiding body essentially bending gravity and drawing one to the liminal space, whether it is where water meets sand or where our desire for a world where we are all free meets the reality that we have a lot of work to do,” the band collectively said in a statement contextualizing the track for us non-Spanish speaking gringos out there. That’s helpful insight, as Victoria Ruiz assails self-reflection on the divine and precious over anthemic waves of skronky new wave punk. “Las olas no se mienten / Las ojos no se engañan / Ya tenía en la mente / Hacia atrás al frente,” she sings. Like their intent, Downtown Boys’ inner rage translates in being laser focused.

Animated by: Sarah Elawad

Downtown Boys’ Public Luxury will be released June 26th on Sub Pop.