Philadelphia’s burgeoning indie scene has a unique, emphatic voice in its ranks. Brand-new five-piece band PIKNIK release their single, "The Way I Do." It’s a collaborative conversation among multiple singers and songwriters, energetic and perfectly catchy.
"The Way I Do" oozes the irresistible guitar-driven energy of The Strokes, coupled with the same melodic immediacy as The Beatles, but with an underpinning grunge aesthetic that pays homage to Nirvana. But what’s particularly special about PIKNIK is how they blend those influences into something entirely their own, indie rock that rings familiar yet sounds strikingly new.
While vocals are passed around, they are neatly textured with a dynamic and varying feel. There’s a youthful urgency in the lyrics and performance, an undercurrent of anything is possible that neatly encapsulates the band’s college-age perspective and its Philly roots. Each instrument is carefully presented, without being processed to the point of distraction, bringing out the talent in this up-and-coming fivesome.
While already emerging as a dominant force in the Philadelphia music scene, PIKNIK firmly establishes itself with "The Way I Do", showing that they’re not just another indie rock band, they’re a collective to keep an eye on. It’s a promising back-of-the-napkin sketch of what will color their debut, due to arrive in 2026, with more like it where those clever hooks came from, multi-part harmonies, and an uncommon talent for making the familiar sound fresh.
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