GYMSHORTS

Gymshorts sounds like the exact moment a beach party turns into a riot. It is a frantic collision of 1960s surf rock reverb and the scorched-earth velocity of 1980s hardcore punk. The guitars are bright but jagged, cutting through the mix with a layer of garage-rock grime that keeps things from ever feeling too polished. It is music that feels perpetually on the verge of falling apart, held together only by the sheer momentum of the rhythm section.

What sets them apart is the vocal delivery, which balances a snotty, bratty attitude with genuine melodic hooks. While many surf-influenced bands lean into the 'chill' aspect of the genre, Gymshorts weaponizes the surf aesthetic, using those shimmering guitar tones to decorate high-speed anthems about youthful boredom and chaotic nights. It is the sound of Rhode Island's DIY scene exported to a sun-bleached coastline.

Start with the album 'Knock Knock' to hear them at their most cohesive. It captures the band's ability to write two-minute bursts of energy that stick in your head long after the feedback fades. It is essential listening for anyone who thinks punk should be fast, loud, and at least a little bit dangerous.