The Linda Lindas on Their “Really Fun” New Album ‘Gotta Get Out’ and Emo Collab ‘Closer’ with Hayley Williams

The Linda Lindas share insights on their vibrant new album ‘Gotta Get Out’ and the exciting emo collaboration ‘Closer’ with Hayley Williams, reflecting on youth, growth, and the refusal to grow old.

If you’ve been following the rising stars of the LA punk scene, The Linda Lindas have just dropped their much-anticipated third album, Gotta Get Out, a record bubbling with energy, emotion, and a sense of joyful rebellion. Alongside the album, they’ve released an emo-flavored collaboration with Paramore’s Hayley Williams called “Closer.” As a longtime fan, and having watched these young trailblazers grow, it’s thrilling to see them craft a record that’s both a celebration and a rebellion against time itself.

Hayley Williams and The Linda Lindas: A Perfect Punk Partnership

Hayley Williams has been a vocal champion of The Linda Lindas from the very start, even praising them in several interviews. Their relationship blossomed beyond admiration—remember the time The Linda Lindas covered “The News” for Paramore’s remix album? A true fan moment!

Last summer, Williams surprised fans by joining The Linda Lindas onstage at London’s O2 Academy Islington to belt out their breakout hit “Racist, Sexist Boy.” Just last month, guitarist Eloise Wong joined Williams on her Ego Death At A Bachelorette tour in LA, but “Closer” marks their first studio collaboration.

Lucia de la Garza, whose father Carlos produced Paramore’s This Is Why, said of the partnership, “The collaboration has been a long time coming. She’s seen us grow up.” The stars aligned when Williams happened to be in town during the recording sessions for Gotta Get Out.

Wong recalls the magic of writing with Hayley: “It was super exciting writing in the studio with her, and seeing the gears turning in her head. When she started singing, we all looked at each other because she sounded so amazing.”

While Williams' recent solo work explored punk, new-wave, and dream pop, “Closer” harkens back to the emo drama of her Twilight era favorite “Decode.” Mila de la Garza shared, “We gave her some options, and that’s the one she gravitated towards. We were really surprised by that, but it’s so good. Now we have the challenge of singing it live, though!”

‘Gotta Get Out’: A Joyful, Surprising Punk Adventure

Following up on 2024’s No Obligation, which came on the heels of supporting heavy hitters like Paramore and Green Day on massive US tours, Gotta Get Out promises to shake things up. Lucia boldly claims, “I think we’ll shock people with this album. There are so many things happening on it. It’s full of joy, surprise, and a sense of relief and belonging.”

This new record channels the band’s evolution not only musically but emotionally. They share a deeper sense of trust and freedom in the studio together, trying out ideas in real time. “We weren’t afraid to try new things and experiment, which made for a really fun-sounding record,” Lucia said. They wrote about 30 songs and whittled them down to their 12 favorites, showing a new level of intentionality and confidence.

Wong adds, “There was more comfort, which inspired more freedom,” echoing the band's growth after nearly eight years playing together. Lucia sums it up beautifully: “We’ve been doing this for almost eight years now, and we’re in a place where we all just really admire each other.”

The Soundtrack of Inspiration: From Hardcore to The Cure

Musically, the band draws from a diverse palette. During their car rides to the studio, they jammed out to artists like Remi Wolf, Fontaines D.C., and The Cure, blending indie, punk, and goth influences. Eloise Wong brought a hardcore edge to the album, inspired by the raw energy of local sweaty shows where the crowd thrashes and screams in unison. This mix of influences fuels the album’s vibrant energy.

Why ‘Gotta Get Out’ Resonates Deeply

The title track, “Gotta Get Out,” was the first song they wrote for the album and remained a touchstone. Mila explains, “At first, the lyrics were completely different and didn’t really have a meaning, but we changed them just before we went into the studio to record. Now, it’s about trying to break out of old habits and feeling like you’re stuck. That theme can be found throughout the album.”

Lucia reflects on the feeling of being stuck: “We’re all living our lives at the same point in time. We’re in this weird place where we’re a young band trying to be a part of the wider music community, but there aren’t many people our age around, so we do feel like outsiders sometimes. It’s also about feeling frustrated with everything going on in the world in general. It’s hard, but music is the outlet.”

Eloise adds, “When you feel like you can’t do anything about what’s going on in the world right now, that feels really alienating and lonely. We’re lucky we have each other.”

A Record that Balances Political and Personal

Though the band’s music has always carried a political edge, Gotta Get Out also dives into the personal. Wong shares, “We write about what we’re going through in our lives, and a big chunk of that does happen to be political, but a lot of the songs touch on more personal things. It’s a reflection of our mindset when we wrote it. It’s hard not to make it political when the world around us is so terrible, though.”

Support from Icons and the Power of Community

The Linda Lindas are blessed with a tribe of inspiring supporters beyond Hayley Williams. Karen O and Bethany from Best Coast have been mentors and cheerleaders, making sure the band feels nurtured and seen. Lucia sums it best: “It makes us feel included in something bigger than ourselves.”

Their fanbase is growing, too. Music superstar Olivia Rodrigo has shown her love for the band, dedicating efforts to female rock bands through her Daisy Chains Fields Festival and tours. Mila says, “You can tell that she really loves music and does what she feels is right.” And Wong admires how Rodrigo supports women everywhere through charity and activism, calling it “super inspiring.”

Live Music: The Heartbeat of The Linda Lindas

Nothing beats the electricity of live shows for these punk prodigies. Mila says, “Live shows provide such meaningful human connection, and they’re very reviving. AI can’t do that.”

Eloise chimes in, “Live music is what keeps me going. Playing shows is what I’m most excited about for this new album. It’s so easy to descend into hopelessness, but hopefully live music can give people the hope and energy they need to keep going.”

She captures the magic perfectly: “You can’t really achieve that sense of community online. There’s nothing like being in a room together, singing and dancing to the same songs. It’s so magical.”

What Lies Ahead: The Tracklist

Gotta Get Out drops on August 28 via Reprise/Warner, promising an adventurous 12-track journey:

1. Gotta Get Out
2. Burning Out
3. Helado de Limón
4. Blood On Our Hands
5. Closer
6. Nothing Left
7. High Horse
8. Break
9. I Could Be Wrong
10. Everybody Told Me
11. Okay
12. See You Next Time

“It’s cool because Hayley had her emo era almost 20 years ago and she’s grown so much since then. Now we have this generational thing on an emo song about not wanting to get older.” — Lucia de la Garza

FAQ

• How did the collaboration with Hayley Williams come about?
  The band had floated the idea to Hayley earlier, and when she happened to be in town during their album recording, they wrote “Closer” together in the studio for the first time.
• What themes does ‘Gotta Get Out’ explore?
  The album delves into feelings of being stuck, breaking old habits, frustration with the world, and the joy of finding community and freedom.
• Who are The Linda Lindas inspired by musically?
  Their influences range widely, including Remi Wolf, Fontaines D.C., The Cure, and local hardcore bands, blending indie, punk, and emo styles.
• How important is live performance for the band?
  Live shows are vital, offering meaningful human connection and energy that keeps the band and their fans motivated.
• What message do The Linda Lindas hope listeners take from their music?
  They want listeners to feel that “we’re all in this together,” expressing emotions freely and finding solace in community.

If you love The Linda Lindas and their bold, heartfelt punk spirit, why not bring that energy home? Shop your favorite album cover poster at Architeg Prints and celebrate the music that moves you.