Toronto punk quartet PUP return with brand new single ‘Paranoid’

Toronto punk heroes PUP have returned with a storming new single, ‘Paranoid’. The anthemic track comes produced by John Congleton, and is the first new music they’ve released since their fourth album ‘THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND’ landed back in 2022, and its follow-up 2023 single ‘How to Live with Yourself’.

“My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in,” the band’s frontman Stefan Babcock has said of their newest release. “Whenever we try and do a heavy breakdown with catchy vocals we end up sounding like the world’s worst melodic hardcore band, but somehow it worked on this song. I think because it’s so intense in that moment that it’s actually kind of funny and a bit hard to take seriously. There’s some humour in that and how it plays against what I’m yelling about in a way I really like. Plus Nestor plays the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass at the heaviest moment in the song which really cracks me up every time I hear it.”

Along with the track, the band have a brilliantly chaotic video, from regular collaborator Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux. “What started out as a way to keep the bruising and heartbreaking lyrics to ‘Paranoid’ front and centre turned into a little love letter for rock band merchandise and the unsung heroes who run the merch table,” Jeremy’s said, of the clip. “Special thanks to co-director Clem Hoeney and all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!”

PUP are currently in the midst of an arena tour in Canada, where they’re supporting Sum 41, but have also confirmed plans to return to the UK and Europe early this summer, with tickets on sale now. Check out their full live schedule, and the clip for ‘Paranoid’, below.