The Bobby Lees bring a PJ Harvey classic into the 21st century with style

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Do you hear that pulsing bass from Kendall Wind and the raw vocals of Sam Qaurtin? That unmistakable energy and edge can only mean one thing: The Bobby Lees have returned.

The New York punk band, now a three-person group with Macky Bowman on drums, will release a new album in June. They briefly split up after their 2022 album, Bellevue, but are now back, and I’m really excited about it.

The band released their third single from their upcoming album, New Self, on Friday. This is their fourth full-length release, and the first since the departure of founding guitarist Nick Casa. While his talent will be missed, the quality of the first three singles suggests that both the band and their fans have plenty to look forward to with New Self.

The Bobby Lees update a PJ Harvey classic in their new single

The first two songs released from the album New Self are both excellent. “New Self” has a playful energy reminiscent of the Beastie Boys, and “Napoleon” is a powerfully honest look at the difficulties the band faced that nearly caused them to break up right as their career was taking off.

Their new song, “50 Ft,” is inspired by a classic track from PJ Harvey, originally released over 30 years ago. Harvey’s 1993 song, “50ft Queenie,” was known for its powerful and energetic sound.

Harvey was planning to end her band and start a solo career, hoping to explore new musical directions. It felt like a powerful and refreshing move, especially because it challenged the male-dominated rock scene of the era.

Okay, so The Bobby Lees totally reimagined the song. Instead of Harvey’s super aggressive guitar, they went with this crazy bassline from Wind – it’s both beautiful and totally unhinged, honestly. It’s a really cool switch-up!

Quartin’s singing blends seamlessly with the bassline, often mirroring the song’s frantic and urgent energy. I didn’t even realize if she was playing guitar on the recording – it’s that subtle.

Throughout the song, Bowman’s drumming provides a subtle grounding, primarily through consistent bass notes. Occasional cymbal hits echo the way Casa’s guitar previously added texture and vibrancy to the band’s older work.

This song is set to be the biggest bass-heavy hit of 2026. With Wind’s powerful sound and Bowman’s deep bass lines, Quartin’s vocals blend in almost as another layer of low-end rhythm. The result is an incredibly energetic track that will instantly make you want to dance. Prepare to lose yourself on the dance floor!

It’s unclear when The Bobby Lees might tour again. They haven’t announced any 2026 dates yet, but with the early excitement around the first three songs from their new album, New Self, a tour seems likely. We might find out more after the album is officially released on June 12th.

It’s possible The Bobby Lees are just building suspense by making us wait. If any current punk band knows how to create excitement and draw out a moment, it’s definitely Quartin, Wind, and Bowman.

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2026-04-26 14:00