Story by Rosalind Hallows
Image courtesy of Jaxon Whittington
The Linda Lindas have a new album on the way, along with a new song called Closer that features none other than Hayley Williams. The single was released just this week and comes as part of their third upcoming album, titled Gotta Get Out, that arrives 28 August via Reprise/Warner Records.
New single Closer began as a bilingual song written by Bela Salazar and Lucia de la Garza were working on while Eloise Wong and Mila de la Garza were at school and Hayley later joined them in the studio to help write the bridge.
“Closer is about feeling like you’re losing control of time, and watching yourself grow older from afar,” say Bela and Lucia. “Lately, we’ve been realising how important it is to stay present, especially when our lives feel constantly in motion.
“It feels perfect that Hayley Williams was down to collaborate on this song with us, because we’ve been fans of her throughout so many of her different eras – and she’s seen us grow up over the last ten years! We’ll always be honoured that we got to write and get emo with the queen of emo herself.”
Last summer, she joined The Linda Lindas onstage at London’s O2 Academy Islington to perform their breakout 2022 hit ‘Racist, Sexist Boy’ and last month, guitarist Eloise Wong teamed up with Williams at the LA date of her ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette’ tour.
However, ‘Closer’ marks the first time they’ve joined forces in the studio. “The collaboration has been a long time coming,” said Lucia de la Garza to NME, whose dad Carlos produced Paramore’s ‘This Is Why’. “She’s seen us grow up.”
The record is the band’s follow-up to 2024’s ‘No Obligation’, which arrived after the four-piece supported Paramore and Green Day on huge US tours. “I think we’ll shock people with this album,” said de la Garza. “There are so many things happening on it. It’s full of joy, surprise and a sense of relief and belonging.”
Sante Vincent Magazine 