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Speedy Ortiz return with new song “Scabs”

Listen to the band’s first new music in five years.

April 12, 2023

Speedy Ortiz are back. Scroll down to hear new song "Scabs" now. It's the band's first new material since their 2018 album Twerp Verse.

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"Scabs," which takes aim at those who only show surface-level support for political movements, was co-produced by the band alongside Illuminati Hotties’ Sarah Tudzin. The new song marks the first release by Speedy Ortiz with their new line-up as longtime live band members Audrey Zee Whitesides (bass) and Joey Doubek (drums) join vocalist Sadie Dupuis and Andy Molholt.

“Living in progressive cities and working in the arts, you meet peers doing tremendous organizing work. And then there are neighbors who signal their ‘good’ politics through yard signs alone,” says Dupuis in a statement. “I wrote ‘Scabs’ standing in line at the post office, overhearing customers berate a USPS employee. This was during a time of postal unions-opposed budget cuts and other major issues for mail handlers, which were widely reported on. People advertising their support for essential workers acted conversely when faced with personal inconvenience. The song became more widely about self-designated ethicists who don’t quibble about crossing a picket line for individual benefit.”

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