SPILL NEWS: GLITTER PUNK HAYLEY AND THE CRUSHERS RELEASE DEFIANT NEW SINGLE/VIDEO “CRINGEWORTHY”

GLITTER PUNK HAYLEY AND THE CRUSHERS RELEASE DEFIANT NEW SINGLE/VIDEO “CRINGEWORTHY”

KITTEN ROBOT RECORDS

Equal parts sharp-edged confession, therapy breakthrough, and middle finger to curated coolness, glitter-punk lifers Hayley and the Crushers’ new single “Cringeworthy” finds the band leaning harder than ever into the tension between emotional honesty and modern cringe-factor — with frontwoman Hayley Cain turning personal excavation into a undeniable pro-cringe anthem. It’s the second single off the band’s forthcoming as-yet-untitled album due later this year via Kitten Robot Records. “‘Cringeworthy’ cuts straight to the core. It’s about putting down that heavy suitcase filled with someone else’s shame and emotional burden, sometimes for years, or even our whole life,” says Cain. “This song is about deciding you aren’t going to do that anymore. It’s about leaving their baggage at the door.”

Born from Cain’s own experiences unpacking generational trauma through therapy, the song wrestles with the blurry line between inherited pain and personal identity and what it means to finally reclaim your own power.

“Considering what we’re learning as a country about generational trauma and how it cycles through families and generations forever, I hope this song touches a nerve and inspires people to recognize and let go of all the muck,” she explains. “Of course, we’re the Crushers, so there’s always the tongue-in-cheek element. The idea of being ‘cringeworthy’ is a totally modern concept that feels heavier and more dangerous than Gen Z probably wants to believe. Everyone wants to be aloof, cool and untouchable these days, even if it’s just for Instagram. The truth is that we are all ‘cringe’ to someone else, and often the ones ‘cringing’ aren’t even in the arena. If you’re in the game, living without fear, you will be cringeworthy. That is a 100% inevitability. I see that as a badge of pride.”
Hayley and the Crushers “Cringeworthy”

Musically, “Cringeworthy” channels everything the Crushers do best: explosive hooks, candy-coated chaos, razor-wire honesty, and enough glitter to disguise the bruises. “What started as a more literary, introspective song took some wrestling to get right — a push and pull between poetic instinct and emotional clarity,” Cain says. “A good song needs both bones and heart, and that tension is exactly what gives the track its punch. It’s simple, it’s clear and it’s powerful.”

The release follows the band’s previous single, “Jewel Case,” a long-beloved live staple that finally received an official studio recording nearly a decade after first becoming the Crushers’ closing anthem. Paired with a sweat-soaked performance video that captured the band’s famously chaotic live energy, “Jewel Case” marked both a celebration of the band’s roots and a declaration that their current era is louder, bolder, and more unhinged than ever.

Together, “Jewel Case” and “Cringeworthy” continue expanding the world of the Crushers’ forthcoming album. The new material builds on the themes introduced on their acclaimed EP Unsubscribe From The Underground — a release that fused Detroit grit, West Coast sparkle, and sharp commentary on burnout, identity, and modern disconnection — while pushing further into unflinching vulnerability without sacrificing the band’s trademark wit or maximalist energy.
Hayley and the Crushers “Cringeworthy” single artwork (hi res)

Over the last several years, Hayley and the Crushers have carved out a singular lane in underground punk and power pop through relentless touring, infectious live shows, and a genre-blurring sound that collides surf rock shimmer, garage-rock grime, glam attitude, and bubblegum hooks. Their Spring 2026 tour has continued to solidify their reputation as one of punk’s most unpredictable and magnetic live bands, including recent dates supporting punk icons Screeching Weasel, The Queers and Dwarves.

Whether tackling digital exhaustion, reckless abandon, or inherited emotional baggage, the Crushers have always found a way to make catharsis feel like a party. With “Cringeworthy,” they turn self-awareness into a rallying cry, proving once again that the coolest thing a band can do is stop trying to look cool at all.

Hayley and The Crushers are Hayley Crusher Cain (guitar and vocals), Dr. Cain ESQ aka Reid Cain (bass), Ryan Deliso (lead guitar), and Stacy Binelli (drums). “Cringeworthy” is out now on all streaming platforms via Kitten Robot Records.

Tour Dates

June 27 – Newport, KY at Say it Louder Festival at The Southgate House Revival
August 6 – Cumberland, MD at Savage Mountain Punk Festival
August 7 – Akron, OH at Jilly’s Music Room

Artist Links

Background Photo Credit: Cory Marie Podielski