Oakland-based post-hardcore band The Cruelty are dropping a new two-song cassette on July 13, 2025, featuring “The Morbs” and “The Family Gun.” The tape marks the next chapter for the band following their 2023 debut single “Hand in Hand,” which gained attention through outlets like antiMusic, Dying Scene, and New Noise Magazine.
Formed in 2021 by drummer/vocalist Cole and vocalist/guitarist Cody, The Cruelty started as a collaboration rooted in emotional urgency. Their sound blends raw, confessional emo with a post-hardcore approach, often compared to acts like At the Drive In, Armor for Sleep, Mineral, and Pianos Become the Teeth. Bassist/vocalist Jeff Wright later joined, helping shape the direction of the new material.
According to Wright, “The Morbs is the first of a string of new music that we’ve been working on over different iterations of the band for the last few years. It’s exciting to open this new chapter for the band with such a succinct representation of each of us working together to create the sound we want. I think The Morbs accurately combines all of our different musical backgrounds into a cut scene preview of what is to come.”
The band describes “The Morbs” as a distillation of the emotional direction they’ve been heading toward across lineup changes and shifting ideas. The track will be released with an official video on YouTube the same day as the cassette. “The Family Gun,” the second track, continues in the same spirit, reflecting the group’s focus on connection, vulnerability, and introspective storytelling.
Dying Scene previously described The Cruelty as “rooted in emo’s past but not stuck there — they bring a sharp edge and emotional depth.” Click Roll Boom noted their sound as “reminiscent of early 2000s acts with a modern punch.”
The band plans to support the release through regional shows and is actively looking to connect with labels, booking agents, and press to expand their audience.
