Dogs Run Free are giving you a punk feel with dance ready beats and undeniable melody on their forthcoming album Heart Beat Temper, set for release September 18th through Fever Ltd. Originally emerging in 2022, the band have cultivated their sound across nine tracks that clamor with aspirations for more out of life. Taking after acts like Japandroids and Death From Above 1979, the duo behind Dogs Run Free – Austyn Benyak (Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitar) and Zac Breitbach (Vocals, Guitar, Bass) – are unleashing idiosyncratic alternative rock with edge and purpose.
Single “Energy,” out today, slips rights into striking cowbell percussion and heated panting, building into infectious guitar lines and resounded, spoken-sung vocals. The track grips on to the nostalgia of the “indie sleaze” era while standing out with its own erratic force. The video for “Energy,” filmed by Lily Rankin, finds the duo giving a fervent performance reminiscent of the iconic 2000’s iPod commercials.
Watch the video for “Energy” HERE and stream the track HERE.
Diving into the song’s lyrics, the band share:
“‘Energy’ is about the feeling of wanting more for yourself. Doing this music thing can put you down so often, but it’s something we have to do for ourselves.”
Growing up in rural middle America, Austyn and Zac independently discovered alternative and indie rock outside of their peers listening to whatever was on pop and country radio. Coming together in Cleveland, OH in the early 2020’s and forming Dogs Run Free, the pair set out to create music on their own terms. The band draws from the vigor of local hardcore shows, while pulling influence from artists like Bloc Party, The Kills, Beck, and Cloud Nothings. Following 2023’s Weird EP and 2024’s Normal EP, Dogs Run Free truly find their groove on their upcoming debut full-length, Heart Beat Temper. Self-recorded with mixing by Adam Cichocki and mastering by Eric Lagg, the album rides off Dogs Run Free’s genre-blending sound filled with angular guitars, infectious hooks, and an off-kilter sense of melody. Tracks like “Show Love” and “Sick” are meant to get you moving, while “If I Could Tell You Anything” and “Peace Sign” give a faded feeling, showcasing the dynamic duality of the record.
With Heart Beat Temper, Dogs Run Free capture an intrinsic feeling through pastiche and ambition that is sure to make them an act to watch in 2026.
