SINGLE REVIEW: Chasing Dolls – She’s Gone Out (Pass Me A Lighter)

‘…a perfect look into the realm of Chasing Dolls before they step out on their nationwide tour. Bruising and bristling…’

Bristol emo-punk rockers Chasing Dolls have already worked hard at ensuring 2026 is known as their year. Between physical releases for their past material and the announcement of a co-headlining England tour with midlands emo outfit Vienna, the band have been making a clear statement that they are going to be far from just another local punk outfit that fizzle out quietly.

‘She’s Gone Out (Pass Me A Lighter)‘ immediately hits the listener with vaulting midwest emo licks set against a somewhat dreamy indie backdrop, before coursing forwards into a brilliantly bittersweet verses and surprisingly anthemic choruses. The folksy guitar melodies straddle a foundation of pounding fuzz, dense in its texture and unforgiving in its sorrowful aggression; it makes for a raw and raucous experience that feels certain to appeal to oldheads of the emo scene.

The vocals from Hayden Peck pull as much influence from screamo as they do Bob Dylan, embellishing the already distinctive sound of Chasing Dolls with something truly unique. There’s a real weariness to their delivery, letting you imagine them pulling out a pack of cigarettes in their back yard, two bottles down, the object of their affections somewhere unknown but also somewhere perhaps not worth imagining. There is a delicate theatricality to it all without ever feeling as though Peck is doing anything other than pouring out his emotions with diaristic intent.

There is little doubt that ‘She’s Gone Out‘ offers a perfect look into the realm of Chasing Dolls before they step out on their nationwide tour. Bruising and bristling, their sound cannot be easily reduced down to a single genre label, and what they offer is certain to appeal to a wide array of music fans. This is the sound of a cult classic band in the making.

For Fans Of: danger dog, Porcelain Girl, Koyo, Fiddlehead, Teenage Wrist

Featured photo credit belongs to @soycialmedia.

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