Ever since MisterWives archived their old Instagram posts and revealed a darker, grungier appearance, fans were left wondering what’s in store for this new chapter of MisterWives. The black, red, and white color scheme takes a complete 180 from the iridescent rainbow- and flower-filled artwork, costumes, and sets the band is known for, suggesting their music might take a similar turn. “Out Of Your Mind,” the first single released off the upcoming album, supported this notion, as it leans more into their rock edge with a fast tempo, vocal distortions, and energetic drums.
Of course, one single can only temporarily satisfy fans, and there was now the lingering question of whether the whole album would go in this rock direction or not. Considering they were dropped by major record label Fueled By Ramen amidst the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, a heavier sound and punk rock aesthetic might be unsurprising.
Finally, on May 5th, more than a month after the release of “Out Of Your Mind,” MisterWives officially announced their fourth studio album and released the title track, “Nosebleeds.”
The single cover art, photographed by Matty Vogel, shows trails of blood directing viewers’ eyes to the source point–vocalist Mandy Leeds‘ nose–really emphasizing the punk elements. Upon listening, however, MisterWives’ iconic indie sound is immediately recognizable. At a slower tempo than the first single, “Nosebleeds” is a groovy song that is sure to get your head bobbing. The track serves as a meditation on craving acceptance from others while also wanting to be carefree and the simultaneous comfort and concern achieved upon realizing everybody shares these feelings. Music video director Jax Anderson highlighted the hopeful undertones, depicting a story of “the never ending journey to healing while finding and protecting your inner child along the way.” Overall, “Nosebleeds” is a song that anyone can relate to, sing to, and dance to, and it is bound to be a fan favorite in live performances.
Anyone who has followed a band from one album to the next has wrestled with the feeling of wanting an artist to produce new music without straying too far from the sound they first fell in love with. It seems as though fans of MisterWives have nothing to worry about and so much to look forward to. With just two singles, the new MisterWives era already spans both the alt rock and indie pop corners of their repertoire, making the possibilities for the remainder of the album all the more highly anticipated. And, given the immense amount of time and effort put into their live show production, exemplified by their performance of SUPERBLOOM at the Live Dream, it’s exciting to think about what their live shows could look like in the near future.
Nosebleeds is available for pre-order now, and will be released in full on July 14th. You can see MisterWives on tour, co-headlined by Bishop Briggs, this Fall.
