Some songs arrive with polish, others with purpose, and ‘Drunk in Idaho’, the debut single from Atlanta newcomers Poolguard, manages both with ease. It’s a coming-of-age tale dressed in sun-drenched synths and buoyant rhythms, but beneath the glow lies something raw and searching. This is indie-pop with a pulse; born from reflection, displacement, and the quiet moments that come after the running stops.
Fronted by the affecting vocals and storytelling of Mckala Cass, the track unfolds like a late-night realisation behind the hum of neon bar lights and the quiet ache of wanting to move forward without knowing how. Her voice is clear-eyed yet vulnerable, riding an undercurrent of bright, infectious instrumentation that supports and reframes the narrative. The result is a track that feels light on the surface, but hits unexpectedly deep.
The collaboration between Cass and brothers Caleb and Josh Brown (of alternative pop duo Jack and the Other) is the real story here. Meeting through a musician networking app and recording in Josh’s home studio, the group’s origin is rooted in spontaneity, but the chemistry is unmistakable. What began as a chance collaboration quickly evolved into something cohesive and confident. You can hear it in the way the production balances glossy pop textures with punchy guitar lines and tight grooves. There’s an energy here that feels both natural and hard-earned.
Poolguard draw from a lineage of effervescent indie-pop acts like Dayglow, Foster the People, and Franc Moody, but they don’t hide behind them. Instead, the group leans into their own experience, letting real stories shape the sound. ‘Drunk in Idaho’ rewires the aesthetic of feel-good pop with emotional clarity and a subtle bite. It’s music that feels good without faking it.
There’s also something undeniably magnetic about the track’s emotional arc. It’s a song about escape, but more importantly, it’s about the realisation that escape is never the answer. It’s a sentiment that resonates, especially with a generation learning to name their traumas and find new paths forward.
With ‘Drunk in Idaho’, Poolguard deliver a track that captures the joy of creation, the ache of hindsight, and the power of collaboration all at once. And if this is only the first chapter, there’s plenty more worth tuning in for. The band may have started as strangers in a spare room, but the sound they’ve created feels like a place you’ll want to come back to.
