New York–based power pop mainstay Kurt Baker has kicked off 2026 with a brand-new 7-inch and digital single, “Undertow Afterglow” / “My Brave Face,” out now via Wicked Cool Records. The release marks the label’s first single of the year and continues Baker’s long-standing collaboration with Little Steven Van Zandt’s imprint.
“Undertow Afterglow” finds Baker distilling a period of personal change into sharp, immediate pop songwriting. Written in Brooklyn with Dan Miraldi, the track came together quickly, matching its emotional directness with a tight melodic punch. The song captures the tension of being pulled under by circumstance while still reaching toward something hopeful, pairing bright hooks with an undercurrent of unease.
The B-side offers a reworking of Paul McCartney’s “My Brave Face,” originally co-written with Elvis Costello. Baker’s version leans into the song’s contrast between upbeat melody and emotional strain, highlighting the disconnect between outward confidence and inner fallout. Placed alongside “Undertow Afterglow,” the cover deepens the single’s themes of resilience, denial, and emotional survival.
Baker has spent years building a reputation as a tireless songwriter and performer, known for blending classic pop structure with punk-driven energy. His music favors concise arrangements, strong choruses, and a sense of forward momentum that recalls power pop’s most enduring traditions. That approach was on full display with his 2023 album Rock ’N’ Roll Club, which reinforced his position as a steady and reliable voice in the modern rock underground.
While 2025 saw Baker shift focus toward behind-the-scenes work in the music industry and step back from frequent live performances, the new single signals a renewed creative push. “Undertow Afterglow” feels focused and purposeful, built on clarity rather than excess and driven by songwriting instinct rather than polish.
Out now on vinyl and across digital platforms, “Undertow Afterglow” serves as both a personal snapshot and a strong opening statement for the year ahead—proof that Kurt Baker’s grasp of melody and emotional economy remains firmly intact.
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