We had an inkling that Philly punk band the Menzingers would be releasing knew material soon when they hit us with “Lookers” a couple months ago. Turns out we were right. The quartet has announced the forthcoming album, After The Party, due early next year. In tandem with the announcement comes the followup single “Bad Catholics.” It’s a slow-building bit of melodic noise that swells into a lot a energy. The song is about balancing the messiness of being human with the virtuousness impressed upon us by societal, religious, and personal beliefs. The penetrating lyrics — “To everyone you’re such a sweet church girl, but I know your secret/ Bad Catholics, weren’t we darling? Always dipping out before communion started” — are packed into a sly haymaker of a hook. Listen.

Tracklist:

01 “Tellin’ Lies”
02 “Thick as Thieves”
03 “Lookers”
04 “Midwestern States”
05 “Charlie’s Army”
06 “House on Fire”
07 “Black Mass”
08 “Boy Blue”
09 “Bad Catholics”
10 “Your Wild Years”
11 “The Bars”
12 “After the Party”
13 “Livin’ Ain’t Easy”

After The Party is out 2/3 on Epitaph. Pre-order it here.