Oxy Moron Coming hot off the re-recorded version of Chroma, Cartel have officially dropped the first taste of new music from their yet to be announced new album, with this single of “Oxy Moron.” The blast of pop-punk energy comes through the speakers in the early-going and rarely lets up. The first few verses find front-man Will Pugh at his most self-deprecating as he sings, “Maybe I’m a loser / Maybe not / Maybe I’m a loner / That hangs out a lot.” The combined, full-sounding guitars from Pugh and Joseph Pepper bounce off of the speakers warmly as Cartel get their sea legs back in the crowded and resurgent pop-punk scene.
As the song gets going, Pugh shouts out some words that Cartel had been teasing leading up to the release of “Oxy Moron” with, “Catatonic / Apathetic / Paranoid / Apocalyptic / Catastrophic / Hyperbolic / Where’s the void? / It’s giving panic.” The breakneck pace in this bridge showcases that Cartel have plenty left in the tank, and it keeps the interest sky high in their upcoming new album to be released later on this year. Cartel have no trouble finding the right balance between peak pop-punk nostalgia paired with improved musicianship to continue their acceleration to the finish line. This band shows little signs of slowing down anytime soon, and this energetic single is proof.