Coral Moons weren’t bluffing when they called this one a BBQ banger. Or in their exact words, it’s a “BBQ dragon banger.” And once you know Coral Moons, you’ll understand their caption for it. Their new single, “Made Up My Mind,” lands with the full confidence of a band hitting its stride. It’s catchy, self-aware, and built for outdoor speakers and open skies. Released fresh off sets at Green River Festival and Milwaukee’s Summerfest, the timing couldn’t be better.
The track is a bold sonic shift from the band’s 2024 album, summer of u, trading in laid-back grooves for a heavier, more theatrical energy. There’s a touch of punk, a bit of folklore, and a whole lot of personality, all wrapped up in a story about walking away from something that no longer serves you. “It’s a rebellious coming-of-age story,” the band notes, “romanticizing an escape from society into fantasy… about being bold and making hard decisions while still being yourself.” That sense of self is exactly what makes the track hit.
The accompanying video leans fully into the weird and whimsical. Shot in the woods of upstate New York, it finds the band fake sword-fighting, riding toy horses, and giving each other chaotic haircuts in what can only be described as cottage-core absurdism. It’s silly, it’s charming, and somehow still feels totally grounded much like the band itself.
I caught up with Coral Moons last month at Green River, where they closed their set with a live performance of the single. There was some healthy anxiety around it. They knew it was a left turn. But the crowd bought in quickly. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t need context to connect. It’s immediate. And if you’ve seen them perform it live, you know exactly how fun it is.
This new direction also comes with a new setting. After years in Boston, the band has relocated to the woods of upstate New York, where they’ve built a home studio and a slower pace. That sense of creative freedom is all over this release.
The band has more tour dates ahead, including a hometown(ish) stop at The Sinclair in Cambridge and two dates at Rochester’s Bug Jar. They’re playing to bigger and better crowds. And with singles like this one, they’re going to keep earning them.
“Made Up My Mind” is out now. The video is delightfully unhinged. Bring pickles. Bring gwummus. Press play.
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