North Jersey experimental indie rock quartet Please Be Careful return with their newest single, “Violent Muggers On The Central Line,” an instrumental track that feels like a daydream set to motion. Built around layers of shimmering shoegaze guitar and a Moog-like synth lead that takes the place of a vocalist, the song finds beauty in repetition — a swirl of melody, pulse, and texture that’s equal parts cinematic and slyly playful.
If Grandaddy wrote soundtracks for sci-fi chase scenes or The Strokes built songs out of wordless melodies, the result might sound something like this. “Violent Muggers On The Central Line” hums with a restless rhythm that captures both the energy and the absurdity of city life. Every instrument trades places in the spotlight — the synth leads, the guitars shimmer, and the rhythm section keeps things grounded while hinting at chaos just beneath the surface. It's got a little bit of an early New Order feel in the spacey riff while the keyboards pull it into a more modern aesthetic.
Please Be Careful formed during the pandemic when longtime collaborators Neil Sabatino and Christian Kisala—best known for their work in Fairmont—set out to create something completely new. Originally envisioned as a loose, jazzy trio, the band grew into a full lineup with drummer Anthony Freda (Million Year Picnic, Cat London) and multi-instrumentalist James DeRose. The name, Please Be Careful, captures their philosophy: a blend of sincerity and humor, seriousness and experimentation. It’s a reminder that art can be both risky and tender. Especially as their debut record runs the gamut from trip hop to ballads, from punk to indie pop.
The band’s sound pulls from an eclectic mix — Tortoise, Portishead, and Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters all haunt the edges — but the result is uniquely theirs. Freda’s groove-oriented drumming, Kisala’s shape-shifting keyboard textures, and Sabatino’s melodic instincts collide in songs that feel both carefully constructed and slightly unhinged.
As with their live shows, Please Be Careful prefer to reinterpret rather than replicate. Each performance becomes an experiment, reshaping songs to fit the moment. “I wanted to do an instrumental project that was structured but still complex,” says Sabatino. “Something that feels good to listen to for five minutes straight — like a groove you don’t want to end.”
With their debut album on the horizon, Please Be Careful are carving out a space for themselves in the North Jersey scene — equal parts indie rock precision and improvisational curiosity. “Violent Muggers On The Central Line” isn’t just a song — it’s an invitation to zone out, tune in, and enjoy the ride. Check out the video below filmed in the bands home recording studio.
