No Obligation.
Now that’s a good way to sweet talk me – I’m more than willing to fall for it and guess what? So should you, it might well be be the best decision of your day.
I’ve been keeping tabs on The Linda Lindas ever since I came across their Tiny Desk concert for NPR – if you’re looking for new brilliant artists, I’ll advise the very healthy habit to watch em all. I was completely hooked after listening to their first opus Growing Up, that brought me back to the glorious days of wearing baggy pants and nurturing my inner fire against everything wrong in this world, while obviously pretending not to give too much fucks – oh wait. Still there.
In more interesting rambling, their new album No Obligation is finally out and let me tell you it’s on a whole different level. These babies —yes, babies, because most of them are still hitting the books at school and I never felt so old — have managed to capture lightning in a bottle, blending raw punk energy with a fresh, unapologetic spirit that’s entirely their own and GOD that feels good.
They’ve shared stages with legends like Bikini Kill, Green Day, Paramore, and even The Rolling Stones. You’d think that kind of company would be intimidating, but for The Linda Lindas, it’s fuel for the fire. Bassist Eloise joked they’re “almost running out” of artists to play with – in probably more than one way if you heard about the infamous (and hilarious) prank war on the last Green Day tour – and honestly, I believe her. They’ve grown up immersed in this music, and No Obligation feels like the culmination of all they’ve absorbed and are ready to unleash.
This album isn’t just a random collection of tracks thrown together—it’s intentional, it’s bold, and it’s brimming with the kind of youthful energy that makes you want to jump up and join a mosh pit. Spoiler alert, your lower back will disagree, but it does work as a real life time machine for many of us. They recorded it live, all in a room together, feeding off each other’s vibes and you can feel that camaraderie seeping through every chord and lyric.
Speaking of lyrics, they’re a collaborative masterpiece. One minute they’re channeling that teen angst we know so well and tackling serious social issues, the next they’re singing about their cats. The Linda Lindas in a nutshell – it’s genuine, it’s diverse, and it’s so them. And honestly, it’s probably some (a lot) of us at some point in our lives, again top tier time machine effect.
Working with producer Carlos de la Garza—Lucia and Mila’s dad, by the way—gave them the freedom to experiment and grow without any pretenses. It’s like they had the best of both worlds: professional guidance and the comfort of family. Bela mentioned how liberating it was to have control over their image and sound, and it definitely shows.
The album artwork, crafted by Eloise, is a colorful snapshot of who they are right now. From favorite flowers to exaggerated features and nods to personal quirks, it’s a visual extension of their music— Art people. Authentic art and full of personality.
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No Obligation isn’t just an album title, it’s a statement of intent. The Linda Lindas aren’t here to fit into anyone else’s mold or meet expectations set by others in true punkarse way – you bet I love them so much. They’re carving out their own space, on their own terms, and inviting us all to come along for the ride. And trust me, with the fire they’ve ignited on this album, this is one journey you don’t want to miss. They’re just getting started, and they’re not stopping anytime soon. So if you ever were into punk rock and want to hear what the future sounds like, go have a listen, because it’s definitely happening right now.
The kids are gonna be alright. More than ever. And so are we. Thank fuck.
NB : If I can’t convince you, they probably will
