click here for more
click here for more
Bub Unleash Debut Album 'Can't Even' + Live Photos

Bub Unleash Debut Album 'Can't Even' + Live Photos

Chris Cudby / Photography by Petra Jane / Friday 9th May, 2025 2:39PM

Cute term of endearment or low key acronym for Break Up Band — why choose? Bub is the fuzz-rock / new wave / doo-wop project led by Priya Sami (Trip Pony, Dateline, The Sami Sisters), finally gifting us Bub's full length studio debut Can't Even following a ripper run of super catchy and emotionally devastating singles (plus consistently excellent music videos). Earlier singles 'King of Wands', 'Phase 2' and 'New Amsterdam' sound fabulous smooshed up front of the record and there's zero fall-off on the brand new tunes, peppered with SRN favourites 'Dreams' and 'Jeez Louise'.

Sami's knock your socks off vocals and infectious musical energy Trojan Horse some of the most refreshingly frank, unsparing lyrics you're likely to hear anytime soon. 'Girl' is a post-Snapper freak out / meltdown, 'Another Girl' is a synth-squelching bitch-slap aimed at scheming fakers, 'Rain on my Parade' posits a lonesome life ahead, and closer 'Bored' is a soul-pop plea for honesty. Like an island of hope in a sea of turmoil (kind of), 'Mrs Julian Casablancas' is a horn-tooting sonic fantasia where teenage dreams become reality.

'King of Wands' and 'Dreams' are still two of my personal favourite local "indie-rock" singles of the past few years, smashing down clichés to spotlight Sami's interior life — consulting the Tarot deck for relationship advice and striving to accept the painful reality: hey nobody's perfect. Featuring bandmates Daniel Barrett, David Harris and Joe Kaptein, go see Bub at Urbanaut's 8th Birthday on 17th May (full disclosure: I'm playing too) and with Tom Lark at Whammy Bar on 21st May. Order the vinyl LP edition HERE, and cast your eyes on photographer Petra Jane's snap's from last night's release gig at Neck Of The Woods with She's So Rad below...

Guardian Singles, Bub And Power Nap - Urbanaut's 8th Birthday
Saturday 17th May - Whammy Bar, Auckland

Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

Under The Arcade Presents - Tom Lark And Bub!
Wednesday 21st May - Whammy Bar, Auckland

Tickets on sale HERE via UTR


'Can't Even' is out today on major streaming platforms.


Bub Presents Can't Even Album Release Show!
Bub Presents Can't Even Album Release Show!
Bub Presents Can't Even Album Release Show!
Bub Presents Can't Even Album Release Show!
Bub Presents Can't Even Album Release Show!
Bub Presents Can't Even Album Release Show!

View all photos
Links
instagram.com/bub.band/
facebook.com/bubbandd
bub-band.bandcamp.com/
instagram.com/alwaysdisappointed/

Share this
Subscribe/Follow Us
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on your favourite platform  


SUPPORT UTR
You can show your support to keep UnderTheRadar running by making a contribution. Any amount can make a huge difference and keep us bringing you the best, comprehensive content. ♥
Support UTR!