As a huge fan of Basement, I clicked with Footballhead from the first few seconds of their latest single ‘Habits’. The Chicago quintet self-released their album ‘Overthinking Everything’ earlier this year but now they have signed to Tiny Engines, it is being given the full label works for a “proper” release in 2024.
Footballhead has a radio-friendly spin on alt-rock and is fronted by singer/songwriter Ryan Nolen. Readers of the site will know I am fond of the late 90s and early 2000s alt-rock and the band taps into that energy perfectly. There is a punky spike hiding in the shadows, a little fuzz and a dash of metal (not on the single mind) and it is all to help map out the pressure points of being human.
The adorable irrelevance of the music video for ‘Habits’ made me chuckle too. Ryan takes his Homer Simpson stuffed toy on a wander around the city and generally throws it around and gets subtitled abuse from it. It allows the tight two-minute low-key anthem to work its charm and showcase Footballhead as an easy-to-like sound. Enjoy the track below, it is out now. For more info on all things Footballhead, visit their Bandcamp.
Support Higher Plain Music
Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.