Queens, New York band The Buddy System Forever have released their new single “Not Listening Anyway,” a power-pop track dedicated to those moments when someone keeps talking long after your brain has quietly left the building.

The song takes a familiar irritation and runs with it: being trapped listening to a teacher, coworker or anyone else whose words have become little more than background noise. Rather than fighting to stay engaged, “Not Listening Anyway” follows the mind as it wanders elsewhere and lets the conversation disappear into a stream of meaningless chatter.

The Buddy System Forever give that idea an energetic musical backdrop, combining bouncing power chords with four-part vocal harmonies, a soaring guitar solo and a large, defiant chorus. The result sits comfortably between power-pop and alternative rock, with touches of garage rock and shoegaze adding weight around its melodic center.

Fans of Superchunk and Jeff Rosenstock should find familiar territory in the track’s mix of humor, frustration and guitar-driven momentum. The band also points toward influences including Dinosaur Jr., Fontaines D.C. and The Smiths, helping explain the mixture of noisy guitars and sharp pop instincts running through the song.

“Not Listening Anyway” arrives through We’ve Got Pressing Issues and follows The Buddy System Forever as the Queens group continues developing its place within New York’s guitar-rock scene.

The band consists of Joe Turchi on guitar and vocals, Nicole Erbio on bass and vocals, Justin Licameli on drums and vocals, and Morgan Daniels on keys. With multiple members contributing vocals, the group turns a song about mentally checking out into something deliberately full and communal.

Sometimes there’s no deeper revelation hiding inside a dull conversation. “Not Listening Anyway” understands that occasionally, the only reasonable response is to let your attention wander.