Pop punk has taken on a lot of faces and variety in sound over the years, but there will always be something about that older-school sound and the rawer feel it carries with it. Northvale, a pop punk trio from New Jersey, knows exactly how to bring that sound into the present year of 2026!
With fun hooks and those killer riff/drum combos that made their runs back in the day, they keep their sound pulling in both new and old fans. With snappy lines and vocals that wander between melodies, harmonies, and even some raspy yells, they are exactly what I expect from a band that keeps the genre alive!
On the 15th of October, Northvale dropped their banger single "Not Myself" just in time for the bluer months of the year, and I know what song I will be playing through my October Slide!
"Not Myself" is a song that hits heavy on the topic of mental health while making it feel fun, light, and airy. This song is a lovely ode to losing yourself while trying to become what you want to be, which is a topic not touched on enough at all. "We spend years running toward our goals, pushing ourselves to the absolute limit, until one day you stop and realize you don’t even recognize the person you’ve become. "Not Myself" is about the breaking point. It’s the moment you look in the mirror and ask if the dream you’ve been chasing is worth the pieces of yourself that you’ve lost along the way," the band explains in their own words. It's a punch to the gut with punchy lines and a phenomenal beat.
I really love the chorus as it comes in swinging with lyrics like "Break me outta the place / Can't find a way to escape / What am I fighting for / (Stop saying that / Stop saying that) / Say that there's no way to survive / And I have been wasting my life." What a home run, hitting the stomach in song form!
Photo Credits: Facebook
The potential for this song and band is sky-high, as I can see the fit for sync and radio, as well as them being a hit at shows and festivals, as a nail on the head. Just like in the early 2000s!
Speaking of shows, make sure to catch Northvale live at the Bowery Place in New York City, New York, on the 15th of November!
"Not Myself" is an instant playlist add for me! It's fun, it's meaningful, and it's just right for the kind of nostalgia music that I love as an old-school pop punk fiend. Go listen now; you'll fall in love with Northvale too!
I can see Northvale making a rise as they continue their adventure in music, and I hope that they do! I'd love to turn on my radio one day and hear Northvale play on the Texas radio! These guys have great things coming!
Meet the Members of Northvale!
Keith Carroll - Vocalist
Chris Stroz - Guitarist
Aren Millan - Drummer
