Western Massachusetts artist blends Game Boy production with pop-punk energy on new single
Western Massachusetts musician Sam Mulligan returns with “Broke,” a fast-moving chiptune single released April 15, 2026. The track serves as the lead preview of his upcoming album Pizza Forever, due May 15.
“Broke” is built on a dense mix of chiptune programming, pop-punk structure, and electronic layering. Driven by a Game Boy sequencer, the track moves quickly through shifting sections, adding new elements with each pass. Synth tones flicker over grungy guitar textures, while the rhythm stays tight and kinetic.
The song centers on a simple but exaggerated premise: spending too much money on pizza and dealing with the fallout. That idea expands into a broader theme of consequence and impulse, framed through humor and absurd escalation. The writing keeps a playful tone, but the structure remains sharp, using repetition and call-and-response sections to anchor the chaos.
Mulligan’s approach blends DIY production with a clear sense of pacing. Each section introduces new sounds or variations, preventing the track from settling into a single loop. The result is a song that feels constantly in motion, even within its tight runtime.
Live performance plays a key role in the track’s design. “Broke” has already become a centerpiece in Mulligan’s sets, with audience participation built into the chorus. That energy translates into the recording, where the arrangement leaves space for interaction while maintaining its layered sound.
The single also sets the tone for Pizza Forever, an album built entirely around pizza-themed concepts. Each track explores different angles of that idea, using humor and wordplay while connecting back to everyday experiences. Despite the concept, the focus remains on structure and sound, with each song shaped to stand on its own.
Produced and recorded in Mulligan’s home studio, “Broke” reflects a more refined version of his established style. The core elements remain the same, chiptune sequencing, guitar textures, and direct songwriting, but the execution feels more controlled and cohesive.
With “Broke,” Mulligan delivers a track that balances novelty with precision, using a playful concept to drive a tightly constructed and energetic release.
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