Under The Rug have today released their new single titled ‘mad girl’s love song’ from their upcoming album ‘happiness is easy’ dropping August 16th. This is a deeply unique and gorgeous song, to say the least. I know that’s a bit awkward way to start an article (looks like the first paragraph got snipped), but, hey, this is the world of independent music. We’re independent. But this truly is an original piece of music. A stellar introduction, or indoctrination, to Under The Rug and the music they bring.

In the span of less than three minutes, we get a world of genres and styles that seamlessly cascade and transition into each other. With tinges of old school AM hits from the 70s’ to slight tinges of electronic and pop with roots rock tying it all together, we get what I am officially calling the next wave of indie.

About ‘mad girl’s love song’ & ‘happiness is easy’

Lead singer Casey Dayan shares the inspiration behind “mad girl’s love song,” explaining, “This song is an homage to Sylvia Plath’s eponymous villanelle, which I’ve always admired. I wanted to write something new from it, or inspired by it, without strictly using her language in a derivative way.” Dayan elaborates on the connection to Plath’s work, “Sylvia’s poem, to me, at least, feels like it’s about a character’s relationship to an imagined version of someone and the expectations that character superimposes onto them. The dissonance between those expectations and reality drives the character mad.” While the original poem adheres to the strict and moody form of a villanelle, Under The Rug’s adaptation breaks free from this structure. Dayan reveals, “In our song, things had to move differently. The speaker is more concerned with the dissonance between who they are and how the expectations the ‘you’ might have of THEM. It feels true to me, as a trans person, who is often being interpreted on the internet.” This unique perspective adds a profound layer of meaning to “mad girl’s love song,” making it a poignant and powerful addition to Under The Rug’s discography. The track was co-written by Sam Hollander (Panic! At The Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums, Banners), produced by Under The Rug, and engineered by David Peters.

Under The Rug’s upcoming album, happiness is easy, is a sprawling two-part, 30-track exploration of the challenges of pursuing happiness, delivered with the band’s signature irreverence, irony, and dark humor. Produced with the help of David Peters, and featuring co-writers like Sam Hollander and Mason Jennings, the record blends poignant personal themes with universal questions on life and fulfillment. With songs like lead single, “mad girl’s love Song,” a homage to literary icon Sylvia Plath’s poem, title track “happiness is easy,” and “i don’t want to cry in my car anymore,” each offering a tongue-in-cheek look into the headspace of lyricist Casey Dayan. The release navigates topics such as self-discovery, authenticity, drug use, and loneliness while providing moments of levity and insight. Dayan wrote happiness is easy as a reflection of coming to terms with identity and the pursuit of joy in a complicated world. “It’s the least fictional thing I’ve written,” she reveals. The album is filled with gentle arpeggios, evocative lyrics, and piercing guitar melodies that reveal the band’s growth and commitment to authenticity. It’s not just a meditation on personal struggles but also a search for meaning and connection in the modern age. happiness is easy is out on August 16th, and will be proceeded by the band’s headlining U.S. tour.

Under The Rug, an Austin-based indie band, has created a heartfelt musical journey over the past decade. Led by vocalist and guitarist Casey Dayan, guitarist Sean Campbell, and drummer Brendan McQueeney, the band blends indie, folk, and Americana with a focus on storytelling. Known for their DIY marketing, they’ve built a dedicated fan base through handwritten letters and their membership service, The Secret Hideout. Praised by American Songwriter, Rolling Stone India, and Atwood Magazine, and endorsed by The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle, they’ve made waves with their Junior LP, Homesick For Another World, and their viral hit “Lonesome and Mad.” With their upcoming release, happiness is easy, and a headlining US tour, Under The Rug is set to continue their success.

About Under The Rug

Under The Rug, the Austin, Texas-based indie outfit, has crafted a unique, heart-on-sleeve musical journey over their decade-long career. Led by the dynamic trio of vocalist and guitarist Casey Dayan, alongside the deft musicianship of guitarist Sean Campbell and drummer Brendan McQueeney, the band seamlessly blends an eclectic mix of indie, folk, and Americana, all while remaining steadfast in their commitment to the art of storytelling.

Known for their DIY marketing efforts, the band has built a fierce and dedicated fan base through direct-to-fan handwritten letters and their membership service, The Secret Hideout. Their dedication to songwriting as a craft is evident, delivering earnest tracks that resonate with listeners worldwide. Whether performing at sold-out shows or writing on the go in their beat-up van, the band continues to resonate with fans, capturing both hearts and imaginations. Under The Rug has garnered cheers from American Songwriter, Rolling Stone India, Atwood Magazine, and even received a co-sign from The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle.

Building on the success of their acclaimed Junior LP, Homesick For Another World, and the viral sensation of their hit single, “Lonesome and Mad”—which topped Spotify’s search charts in the US and continues to dominate virality playlists in numerous other countries—Under The Rug is set to sustain their momentum. The band eagerly anticipates their upcoming release, happiness is easy, and is preparing for their headlining US tour in support.

Under The Rug’s upcoming release, happiness is easy, is a sprawling 2-part, 30-track exploration of the challenges of pursuing happiness, delivered with the band’s signature irreverence, irony, and dark humor. Produced with the help of David Peters, and featuring co-writers like Sam Hollander (Panic! At the Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums) and Mason Jennings, the album blends poignant personal themes with universal questions on life and fulfillment.

With songs like lead single “mad girl’s love song,” an interpretation of Sylvia Plath’s famed villanelle, title track “happiness is easy,” and “i don’t want to cry in my car anymore,” each offering a tongue-in-cheek look into the headspace of lyricist Dayan, the album navigates topics such as self-discovery, authenticity, drug use, and loneliness, while providing moments of levity and insight. Dayan wrote happiness is easy as a reflection on coming to terms with identity and the pursuit of joy in a complicated world. “It’s the least fictional thing I’ve written,” she reveals. The album is filled with gentle arpeggios, evocative lyrics, and piercing guitar melodies that reveal the band’s growth and commitment to authenticity. It’s not just a meditation on personal struggles but also a search for meaning and connection in the modern age.

LINKS:
https://undertherugmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/undertherugmusic/
https://www.tiktok.com/@undertherugmusic
https://www.instagram.com/undertherugmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMRCV0QuDVuoR1I7Jk2_fFg
https://twitter.com/undertherugmus
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/under-the-rug/1353163309