Dogs Run Free sound like a band on the heels of upwards momentum, and their latest single, “Energy,” captures that restless drive in full. Out now alongside a performance video, the track serves as the latest preview of the Cleveland duo’s debut album, Heart Beat Temper, arriving September 18 via Fever Ltd.
Built around chaotic cowbells, infectious guitars, and a relentless dance pulse, “Energy” leans into a sweet spot between dance-punk and garage rock. Austyn Benyak and Zac Breitbach channel the sweaty urgency of early-2000s indie without feeling trapped by nostalgia, delivering spoken-sung vocals and sharp melodic hooks.
The accompanying video, directed by Lily Rankin, mirrors that kinetic spirit, placing the pair in a stark, high-contrast performance that recalls the silhouette-heavy aesthetic of the iconic iPod commercials. Lyrically, “Energy” reflects the push and pull of pursuing music despite its frustrations.
‘“Energy” is about the feeling of wanting more for yourself,” the band says. “Doing this music thing can put you down so often, but it’s something we have to do for ourselves.”
That sense of determination runs throughout the song, transforming personal exhaustion into something cathartic and undeniably catchy.
The single offers a glimpse into Heart Beat Temper, a nine-song collection that expands on the foundation laid by 2023’s Weird EP and last year’s Normal EP. Self-recorded by the band and mixed by Adam Cichocki before mastering by Eric Lagg, the album shifts between angular, danceable rockers like “Show Love” and “Sick” and more reflective moments on “If I Could Tell You Anything” and “Peace Sign.”
Drawing inspiration from everyone from Japandroids to Death From Above 1979 and Bloc Party, Dogs Run Free continue carving out a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly unpolished, making them an act to watch in 2026.
Heart Beat Temper Tracklist:
- Show Love
- Esoterrorist
- Energy
- Sick
- If I Could Tell You Anything
- Catch a Smile
- Peace Sign
- Thought About It
- Blacklight
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