Oakwood’s new single “Footnote” arrives with the kind of weight that only comes from time. Ten years have passed since the release of their EP "Summer", a project that became a classic for anyone who drifted into their corner of emo and DIY punk in the mid-2010s. For a long time, Oakwood felt like one of those bands frozen in memory, the kind you assumed had gone their separate ways, the way so many from that scene did. A couple of EPs, a short burst of touring, then real life gets in the way. Someone moves, someone burns out, and suddenly the band exists only in playlists and old flyers. That’s the story this genre is famous for, which is what makes hearing new music from Oakwood in 2025 feel almost unreal.
What makes “Footnote” rewarding is the way it carries the past without gripping onto it. The guitars still have a twinkly math-rock quality, and the lyrics continue to provide a truthful kind of angst. They've managed to keep the same feeling from their previous work without chasing or attempting to replicate their 2015 selves. The release arrived just after the tenth anniversary of their “Summer” EP, which adds to its symbolism: a natural celebration and the perfect moment for new music. The track cuts straight into themes of self-contempt and a fractured self-image, delivered with a bluntness they've never shied away from. Fans of their 2010s self-titled EP will hear similar qualities in “Footnote”, from the slightly tangled guitars to the confessional, diary-like tone.
Another thing that makes this single notably full-circle is the timing. Oakwood just wrapped up their 2025 tour, supported by newer bands like Widowdusk, Wakelee, and First Day Back. It’s heartwarming to watch an older generation of emo playing alongside a new wave of bands who probably grew up with that sound as part of their DNA. It felt like a small bridge between eras, all sharing the stage as peers, which is honestly all you can ask for. Seeing younger fans shout the lyrics to songs like “I’m Still Cheering For The 1980 U.S. Hockey Team” makes it clear how important Oakwood has been to the scene, but specifically how much their music still resonates.
For me, what makes this return so meaningful is how unforced it all feels. The members still work day jobs; there was no dramatic breakup or dramatic comeback, just a steady choice to create together again. “Footnote” sounds like something they made because they wanted to, not because they were expected to. All of this sets the stage for an upcoming album that already appears promising, and it’s genuinely exciting to have them back.
