A few weeks ago, Chicago’s Babe Report, featuring former members of Yeesh, Geronimo!, and FCKR JR, announced their signing with Exploding In Sound Records. Their debut album, Did You Get Better, is set for release on May 31, garnering attention from Billboard, BrooklynVegan, FLOOD, and more. Critics praised the lead single for melding power-pop, pop-grunge, and other DIY rock subgenres seamlessly.
Today, the band releases “Universal,” the album’s second single. This track presents a more polished sound, blending heavy riffs with moments of thoughtful restraint. The band describes “Universal” as a commentary on the competitive nature of success, noting the moral complexities when life becomes a zero-sum game.
Initially a duo formed during lockdown, Babe Report expanded to a quartet with their earlier EP, “The Future of Teeth,” adding Peter Reale and Mech to the lineup. This expansion is fully realized in “Did You Get Better,” showcasing a richer and more refined sound. The album, recorded over a single weekend in November 2023 at Radon Ranch, Ben and Emily’s home studio, features an energetic blend of ’90s-style guitars and catchy melodies, captured with unique prototype microphones. The resulting tracks are immediate and captivating, a chaotic storm of sound tightly contained.