Chicago indie-punk outfit HOLSMAN have unveiled their new single, "I'll Be a Dog in My Next Life," offering the first look at their debut full-length album, Sally, due out Aug. 28. Blending emotionally charged punk with timeless pop melodies, the track introduces an ambitious concept record centered on healing, resilience, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma.
Led by songwriter Ryan Holsman alongside producer and bassist Dan Tinkler, Sally follows the intertwined lives of two young adults attempting to build a healthy relationship after surviving abusive upbringings. Rather than dwelling solely on hardship, the album aims to explore the possibility of hope, growth, and finding connection despite emotional scars.
"I'll Be a Dog in My Next Life" captures that balance with equal parts vulnerability and wit. Built around driving guitars, memorable hooks, and heartfelt lyricism, the song reflects on uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, and the fantasy that life might somehow be simpler in another form. Its accompanying video leans into that idea with Holsman performing in a full dog costume, adding humor to an otherwise deeply personal song.
Musically, HOLSMAN draw inspiration from the anthemic energy of melodic punk while weaving in the catchy songwriting of classic 1960s pop. The result is a sound that balances raw emotion with infectious choruses, allowing serious subject matter to remain approachable without losing its impact.
Three years in the making, Sally represents the culmination of a long creative process that saw Holsman and Tinkler carefully shape both the album's narrative and its sonic identity. Rooted in Chicago's rich punk tradition, the record also serves as a tribute to the city's independent music community while carving out a voice that feels distinctly its own.
With "I'll Be a Dog in My Next Life," HOLSMAN introduce themselves with a song that is both deeply personal and immediately memorable. As anticipation builds toward the release of Sally, the single suggests a debut album unafraid to tackle difficult emotions while ultimately searching for hope, compassion, and the light waiting beyond life's darkest moments.
