On the night of February 25th, post-punk band Model/Acrtiz released their new single titled “Cinderella” in anticipation for their recently announced album Pirouette. The single was a pleasant surprise for me, as I had just been reflecting on the band’s 2023 release Dogsbody and what an invigorating, rhythmic and freakish listen it was. Combining quivering vocals with subtly queer lyrics courtesy of frontman Cole Haden, abrasive industrial production and a penchant for dance-worthy post-punk bass, the album was an impressive debut from a band which was previously unheard of, giving the group a unique sense of tension in their music. Knowing the album had been released two years ago on February 24, I was curious whether now would be a good time for the band to make a return and remind their listeners of the tantalizingly dark music they have to offer. With this newest single, Model/Acrtiz asserts that they are not only ready to take the call, but they are doing so with style and hunger.

Part of what made Dogsbody such a great record for me was its blend of straightforward post-punk grooves and oppressively noisy clashing and clanking, all in unison with Haden’s anxiety-riddled vocals. The group clearly has an ear for crafting post-punk music that expertly fuses anxiety-inducing neuroticism with a sheen so chic it wouldn’t be out of place in a club or a rave. What was surprising for me to hear on “Cinderella” was the band toning down the noisier elements in favor of letting the sleek post-punk grooves stand out. While I’ve taken quite a liking to their more discordant sounds, this switch-up is not without its benefits and has resulted in arguably their most club-worthy song yet.

The track starts with a single note of bass and an industrial sounding guitar fret playing one after another, hitting listeners instantly with the jagged, ominous sounding back-and-forth melody. Shortly after, Haden’s vocals come in with a dark yet uniform presence with the unfolding beat. As the song progresses, the lyrics present more sensual imagery and thoughts of vulnerability in the eyes of another (“The way you turn your chest on me / I’m embarrassed to be clever when you’re honest… / …And I notice you are noble, you are kind / Or at least entertained by your time sitting here with me”). As with many of their songs, there’s a feeling of unease that comes along with the grooves as they build to an explosive crescendo.

The narrative continues to analyze the relationship between the two figures compared in the lyrics, and the most straightforward lyrics about this other person’s affect on the narrator comes with the catchiest part of the song in the chorus. The narrator envisions himself as a target of mockery from peers from wanting a Cinderella themed birthday party at 5, and lyrics like, “You make me want to be ready / I feel different now than I did before / I can see how my power / Only was my fear of betrayal” not only come across as intimate and confessional, but confident and reflective on the internal attitudes he’s adopted from these fears. Attitudes developed from fear of abandonment and ridicule in the face of others, and an anxiousness met by the track’s increasingly hectic guitarwork. However, it never once loses steam in all four and a half minutes of runtime, and remains all the more alluring for its commitment to this dark club aesthetic.

While not as much of a horror-fueled noise rock experience as their songs usually are, with what they’ve managed on “Cinderella”, Model/Actriz has gotten me quite excited for their newest material. Haden’s presence, like the music itself, has grown restrained in the way they present these internal struggles but he hasn’t lost his touch in his talents as a storyteller. With a further push in this sonic direction, their upcoming record has potential to have some of their biggest songs yet. Not only does “Cinderella” retain the tension of their past releases, its more addictive qualities and sleek sound makes for an unexpected rave banger as well.

Pirouette is set to release on May 2, 2025.