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Photo: Max Durante

New York hyperpop-punk duo poptropicaslutz! is kicking off 2023 with a bang with their brand-new single "Sierra Echo X-Ray." The single, which, when spelled out with the military phonetic alphabet, spells "S-E-X," thematically focuses on intimacy and romance while whimsical soundscapes and pounding synths hook the listener in for its short yet intoxicating run.

"Sierra Echo X-Ray" showcases the duo's ability to create intricate soundscapes atop foundations of pulsing synths and glitchy transitions juxtaposed by dynamic drum patterns. With auto-tuned vocals and playful pop melodies, Christian Cicilia and Nick Crawford tell a witty coming-of-age story while trading sincere lines about the naiveties of navigating intimate relationships for the first time.

Crawford and Cicilia recount inviting dates over to their houses with promises of board games. However, their date nights eventually become more emotionally complex than once thought when sex is brought into the equation. "We made 'Sierra Echo X-Ray' last summer and ended up writing about society's most celebrated taboo," the duo explained. "It touches on the 'half-baked' attempts at intimacy you experience growing up."

The rising Gen Z artists draw inspiration from multiple corners of the genre world. The single has the wittiness of Hellogoodbye, the edge of Juice WRLD, and the high-octane energy of Fall Out Boy. poptropicaslutz! finished the year on a high with more than 1.2 million monthly streams and signing with punk and alternative label Epitaph Records. They're also actively working on the much-anticipated follow-up to their 2022 just in case the world ends deluxe EP.

Listen to "Sierra Echo X-Ray" below: