The Orange County emo band explore struggle, connection and resilience on their seven-track full-length, featuring the singles “Giving Up” and “Fools Gold.”
Orange County emo outfit popfree have released their new album, Overt, out now through New Morality Zine. The seven-track record builds on the band's energetic blend of emo, post-hardcore and indie rock, pairing intricate guitar arrangements with emotionally charged songwriting.
Among the album's highlights is “Giving Up,” a sprawling track that explores the struggle of reaching rock bottom and finding the strength to move forward.
Serving as the album's opening track, “Giving Up” moves between quieter, reflective passages and explosive bursts of guitar-driven intensity. The contrasting vocals of Jacob Beaver and Vincent Mann reinforce the song's emotional push and pull, capturing the uncertainty of trying to overcome difficult circumstances.
An accompanying music video, directed by Bleaker Digital, combines footage of the band performing on a rooftop at sunset with old childhood recordings, adding a nostalgic visual element to the song's themes.
The track follows the previously released single “Fools Gold,” which offered an earlier glimpse into the band's dynamic approach to songwriting.
Formed within Southern California's DIY music scene, popfree draw inspiration from influential emo and post-hardcore acts including No Knife, The Jazz June, Braid and Cursive.
Since making their debut in 2022, the group have steadily developed their sound, gaining momentum with their 2025 Spring EP, also released through New Morality Zine.
Overt represents another step forward, emphasizing shifting rhythms, layered guitar textures and the interplay between the band's two vocalists. The five-piece lineup consists of Beaver on vocals, Max D'ambra on guitar, Mann on guitar and vocals, CJ Selznick on drums and Shane Sussman on bass.
Following performances supporting Modern Color in Los Angeles and Teen Suicide in Long Beach, popfree are scheduled to open for Make Do And Mend on November 20 at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana.
Overt is available now through New Morality Zine, including vinyl and CD editions.