“Cliché Town,” the second single from Sunset Rubdown’s upcoming album Always Happy to Explode, marks a triumphant return for the band after a fifteen-year hiatus. Originally penned in 2020 and shared as part of Spencer Krug’s song-a-month collection on Patreon, the initial demo of “Cliché Town” was a lo-fi experiment, crafted almost entirely on Krug’s laptop with a chaotic blend of software synths and canned drums. Recognizing the potential in its raw form, Sunset Rubdown reimagined the track, transforming it into a full-band rock anthem.
The reworked version of “Cliché Town” captures the band’s signature art rock energy, recorded mostly live with Krug on piano and vocals, Camilla Wynne on keyboard and omnichord, Nicholas Merz on bass, and Jordan Robson-Cramer on drums. The addition of backup vocals and a searing electric guitar, both contributed by Robson-Cramer, further amplifies the track’s intensity. Lyrically, the song delves into the frustration and despair that can accompany life in a small town, drawing from the real-life experiences of Krug’s friends in rural Vancouver Island, where he has resided for the past decade.
The track’s extended and driving outro showcases just how dramatically a song can evolve from its demo stage to its final form, with each band member’s unique contribution elevating the piece. This transformation is what makes “Cliché Town” one of Krug’s favorite moments on the album, and a fitting choice as the second single in the lead-up to Always Happy to Explode’s release.