Infectious Brooklyn punk outfit MONTE is ready to shake things up all over again, unleashing a raw blast of defiant energy with their new single and music video, “Popular Too.” This isn’t a song about fitting in; it’s a thrashy, scrappy, and unapologetic anthem for the exact opposite, a celebration of finding that one person or group that makes you feel cool and seen in a world that insists you aren’t.
Part misfit anthem and part punk-rock fever dream, the track thrives on a potent left-field energy and an absolute refusal to fit into any prescribed mold. Frontwoman Caitlin Montclare, who leads the power punk trio alongside bassist Meghan Rose and drummer Ismael Baiz, explains the deeply personal nostalgia at its core, noting, “growing up I was so uncool – I mean looking back, I was probably the coolest kid in school…I was way ahead of the curve…(baggy clothes, backwards hats, out at 15) those things were NOT cool in the late 90’s/early 2000s.”
This unique blend of thrashy skate punk, metal, and pop creates a uniquely nostalgic yet entirely fresh twist on a sound that is truly unlike anything else out there, a signature of the band that has already garnered acclaim from the likes of Earmilk, New Noise, and GLAAD.
The brilliantly unpolished music video for “Popular Too” mirrors this sentiment perfectly, mixing a potent dose of humor, grit, and wistful nostalgia with a sly, knowing wink. Shot through the distinctively grainy and artistic lens of a Bolex 16mm camera on Kodak film, the flashbacks of convenience store Big Gulps, endless parking lot hangs, and high-school bleacher introspection take on a timeless, cinematic quality. It’s a visual that matches Montclare’s shredding guitar licks and catchy, harmony-laden lyrics that pull you directly into her world—a world that is inherently queer yet universally relatable to anyone who has ever carried a little bit of angst and heartache.
The video’s unscripted, raw vibe is punctuated by a perfectly unexpected and delightfully punk surprise: a furry cameo that serves as a vibrant reminder that true, authentic community isn’t found in the mainstream but is born from boldly embracing the strange and the unconventional. To experience this blast of punk solidarity for yourself, the video is available to watch on YouTube, and the track can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music, offering a potent reminder that sometimes, the uncool kids grow up to start the best revolutions.
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