If you’ve been feeling the weight of the world lately, Australia’s favourite queer-punk power duo, Cry Club, have just handed you the perfect pressure valve. After teasing us with a string of blistering singles, the band has finally confirmed that their third studio album, 'High Voltage Anxiety', will land on 27 March 2026.
To bridge the gap between now and the spring release, Heather Riley and Jonathon Tooke have dropped ‘Retaliate’, a track that arrives like a lightning bolt to the system. Billed by Riley as a “torch-and-pitchfork party soundtrack”, the single is a high-octane collision of electro-punk and social commentary. It’s a direct response to the escalating cost of living crisis, aimed squarely at the wealth gap with the biting refrain: ‘Nothing’s a risk if you’re rich!’
The track isn't just about venting, though; it’s about survival. As Riley explains, “It fits in really well thematically with our other newer singles in the sense that we’re trying to desperately outrun the feeling of hopeless apathy that’s easy to sink into when shit feels really bleak.”
This record marks a significant milestone for the duo, as it’s the first project they have entirely self-produced and engineered. This creative autonomy has allowed them to sharpen their sound into what Tooke describes as “industrial pop.” Reflecting on their evolution, he notes that while previous records explored post-punk and teenage rock influences, the new material finds a sweet spot between abrasive intensity and pop sensibilities.
Despite the "fury and frustration" woven into the lyrics, the heart of the album is rooted in radical softness and communal care. “We are (as we’ve always been) so angry because we love and care about this world so much,” Riley shares, adding that the process allowed them to “navigate what it means to hold onto hope in a clenched fist.”
With over 2.5 million streams and recent high-profile slots supporting The Darkness and Stand Atlantic, Cry Club are no longer just an underground secret—they are a vital voice in the modern alternative scene. 'High Voltage Anxiety' promises to be their most authentic statement yet, proving that you can dance through the apocalypse as long as you’re fighting for something better.
You can pre-order the upcoming album today, and for more, join the band on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
