New York City emo-rock band Bad Luck. return with their new single “Shovel”. The track marks the band’s first new release since their 2023 full-length album and signals a renewed chapter with a heavier, more defined sound.
Balancing vulnerability with intensity, “Shovel” showcases the band’s signature emotional songwriting while pushing their sonic edge forward. Dynamic guitar work pairs with frontman Dominick Fox’s expressive vocal delivery, resulting in a track that captures the tension between perseverance and emotional exhaustion.
Lyrically, “Shovel” explores the complicated reality of one-sided relationships and the emotional toll they can take. Rather than focusing solely on heartbreak, the song dives into the decision to keep showing up for people — even when doing so isn’t easy.
Fox explains that the song reflects a personal philosophy about relationships and responsibility.
“‘Shovel’ is a song I wrote about the dysfunctional relationships I feel everyone encounters in their lives, and more specifically the kinds that are one-sided and only continued by one side’s efforts and the emotional toll that takes over time, but more than that it’s about the decision-making process and realizing I’d rather accept the responsibility—fair or not—of continuing relationships rather than be part of meaninglessly ending them due to a lack of effort.”
Fox
The song’s themes are further explored through its accompanying music video, which visually mirrors the emotional tension and introspection at the core of the track. Raw and reflective, the video underscores the band’s ability to translate personal pain into cathartic, anthemic songwriting.
Originally formed in 2011 by brothers Dominick and Joe Fox, Bad Luck. began as an acoustic project recorded in basements and bedrooms before evolving into a full-fledged band rooted in the modern emo and alternative rock revival. Over the past decade, the group has built a loyal following through relentless touring and emotionally driven releases such as Cold Bones, Summer of Pain, and Take What You Need.
Since solidifying their lineup with Charlie Caruso and Michael Sichel, the band has continued to grow their presence in the scene, touring alongside acts including Hawthorne Heights, Emery, Underoath, Microwave, and The Dangerous Summer.
With “Shovel,” Bad Luck. continue to refine their blend of fuzzed-out alternative rock and emotionally charged emo songwriting. The single offers a glimpse into the band’s next era — one that leans into both their melodic grit and their commitment to honest storytelling.
“Sometimes love is unfair and cruel and sometimes loving people is just hard,” Fox adds. “But I think experiencing love—and the character and perspective both good and bad relationships can build—is mostly worth it.”
Checkout their official website here.
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