Girl Scout—our Best of What’s Next pick for February 2023—have returned with “Monster,” the first single from their new chapter as a band (a new EP is on the way this fall). Barely three months after releasing their head-banging, brilliant EP Real Life Human Garbage, the Swedish rockers have more to give. Pulling from their unbelievably deep arsenal of material, Emma Jansson, Viktor Spasov, Evelina Arvidsson Eklind and Per Lindberg have given listeners a raucous slice of grunge-infused power-pop. That energetic, infectious sound has become the band’s calling card, and they have perfected the formula.
After the release of the Spasov-penned ballad “Attenborough Beach” in March, the ‘90s alt-rock textures of “Monster” signal a quick return to the heavy stuff that Girl Scout made a name for themselves with—especially on “Do You Remember Sally Moore?” and “Weirdo.” The band performed “Monster” during their debut gigs in the United States at SXSW in March, and fans in attendance knew it was only a matter of time before it would grace streaming services worldwide.
“‘Monster’ is about leaning into your unsympathetic side; being well aware that you’re the bad guy in the dynamic but you’re in too deep so you might as well just go for it. As destructive as it is, I think most people have that side to them, at least I hope they do!” Jansson says.
Check out the music video for “Monster” below.