Bury The Pines drop brand new single

Cleveland’s alternative rock scene has found a new energy in Bury The Pines, a rising outfit whose genre-breaking sound and fierce DIY spirit are rapidly making a significant impression. Formed by vocalist Marcus Smith, guitarist Joe Skowronski, bassist Nick Fischer and drummer Mat Markuz, the band has built their sonic identity on a base of musical diversity, drawing from emo, post hardcore, math rock and pop punk to craft something entirely new and wholly their own.

The addition of longtime collaborator and rhythm guitarist Evan Hendrix, who initially joined them in the studio, has only expanded their musical scope. While many new bands cut their teeth in bedrooms or rehearsal spaces, Bury The Pines found their rhythm in front of a crowd, feeding off live energy and developing their sound one show at a time. Their debut gig, organised by their friends in Stay Gone, set the scene for a band focused on building real community and provided the launchpad that showcased their pure sonic chemistry.

That live energy now bleeds beautifully into the studio, working closely with Evan, they began laying down the tracks that would shape their debut full-length record. After releasing a powerful debut single in “ADHD” last year, the band followed up with a trio of songs that each aded new textures, thematic impact and always offering something unique. Their fifth and latest single titled “Afternoon In June,” arrives as both a creative turn and a statement of intent.

The final single lifted from their incoming debut album, it’s the first track fully written with the now five-member lineup and the collaborative spirit shines in every moment. Intricately stacked guitar lines, a rhythm section that hits with precision and passion and Marcus Smith’s emotionally charged vocals come together in a track that not only showcases each member’s strengths, but also amplifies them.

The song wrestles with the pressure to conform, pushing back against voices that question authenticity and vision via a knowing nod to those who try to undermine creativity by insisting it fit a certain mould. Kicked off by a flurry of guitar notes, stabbing rhythms and the rolling splash of drums, a lively alternative sound takes hold, wrapped intensity in a subtly warm sonic fabric. Flowing into a verse of smooth vocal leads that glide above the charging energy of the instrumentation, emotive melodic leads soar as belted cries ring out to deliver a thrilling sound that’s equally memorable and invigorating.

Packed full of anthemic aesthetic and full of intricate twists and turns, the track reaches a stripped-back acoustic bridge capped by slick rapped vocal delivery before erupting into a raucous finale of commanding vocal lines and twisting lead guitar licks. It’s a spectacular showcase of the band’s wildly creative sound and musicianship panache and with their highly anticipated LP on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what this exciting band has lined up for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Listen to Afternoon In June below

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