Dude York’s 2017 has been one for the history books. The trio of Peter Richards (guitar, vocals), Claire England (bass, vocals) and Andrew Hall (drums, vocals) crashed out of the gates with Sincerely, a finely crafted set of punky power pop that perfectly balanced brattiness with introspection while bleeding anthemic riffs and hooks. That record took them to the Top 5 at both NACC and Alternative Specialty Radio, demonstrating their broad appeal and packing their setlists on an epic tour around the US. And now they’re returning to pop some chestnuts right on your fire and tackle their most poignant theme yet: the most wonderful time of the year. The band’s new Halftime for the Holidays is a holiday record for how the holidays actually feel, soaring with pop-punk energy and melodicism while testifying to the wintertime loneliness that can spring up without warning. It’s a record that manages to wrap the strangeness of sleeping in your childhood twin bed and the soft wonder of waking up to snow into one delightful white elephant present that you won’t re-gift.
If you think the day after Halloween is too early to start playing holiday music — well that’s just too bad! Here’s “Break Up Holiday,” the first single from the LP, which comes out in full on November 24 (Black Friday). England sings the lead on the track, which cheekily and cheerily chronicles the bittersweet bite of a dumping amidst mistletoe and merriment.
“[The LP is] made up of (mostly) original songs where the Seattle band apply their goofy charisma and tight songwriting chops to the experience of the holiday season, warts and all… [‘Break Up Holiday’ is] brutally catchy and intensely relatable.” -Stereogum
“Halftime for the Holidays defies any knee-jerk categorization as a mere year-end cash-grab. As evidenced by spunky original ‘Break Up Holiday,’ Dude York still have a lot on their minds. Plus, they really like the holidays.” -The Label NZ
“The perfect album for very, very long sleigh rides.” -Kris Kringle
RIYL: Joyce Manor, Hop Along, Chastity Belt, LVL UP, Tacocat, Lisa Prank
Recommended Tracks: Track 1, “Break Up Holiday,” Track 4, “My Favorite Part (of This Time of Year),” Track 2, “Hollywood Holiday”
FCC Clean
Label: Hardly Art
Digital Servicing Only
