The Bobby Lees are back with a new single, ‘HOT C*NT’, and the New York alt-punk trio aren’t interested in playing nice. Produced by Dave Sardy, the track is a confrontational collision of jagged guitars, bouncing bass and frontwoman Sam Quartin’s near-spoken-word delivery.
The deliberately provocative title might grab the attention, but there’s plenty happening beneath the surface. The track draws on Quartin’s rap and hip-hop influences, explored through her solo project Lady Boy, pushing the band’s already abrasive sound into new territory.
The single follows the release of New Self in June, an eight-track album that finds Quartin, bassist Kendall Wind and drummer Macky Bowman tackling addiction, relationships and personal upheaval with little restraint. From the ferocious title track to their unruly cover of PJ Harvey’s ’50ft Queenie’, the record moves between punk, alternative rock and the heavier sounds of the 1990s.
Formed in 2017, The Bobby Lees quickly developed a reputation for their uncompromising approach, attracting admirers including Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry and Henry Rollins. But years of relentless touring eventually took their toll, and the band stepped away in 2022.
An unlikely friendship with actor Jason Momoa helped set their return in motion. Momoa supported the recording of New Self, with the process documented for the second season of his HBO series On The Roam.
The Bobby Lees continue to push against expectations, combining Quartin’s increasingly experimental vocal approach with the raw energy that first earned them a following. The result is loud, abrasive and deliberately uncomfortable, exactly where this band seems happiest.
