by Kris Handel
“Get Better” is the new single by NYC trio Debbie Dopamine, led by Katie Ortiz (batsbatsbatsghostghostghost [formerly Meansiders]) with help from Dylan Lapointe (Tetchy, King of Nowhere) and Zach Rescignano (Awful Din), melding underlying sweet pop melodies with an assertively punk attitude. Ortiz starts off quivering with a cool and slightly tender detachment before unleashing a torrent of ferocity with crunching guitar chords and thunderous rhythm section work. Towards the climax of the single Ortiz’s guitar screams and slashes wildly while she fiercely and borderline maniacally screams, “Don’t want to feel a fucking thing/Don’t want to fucking feel anything” repeatedly.
Ortiz and compatriots do a wonderful job of mixing the on surface sweet appearance with the dirt and grime of reality and frustration that comes when things are given a deeper look. Debbie Dopamine live in this uncomfortable area where acknowledging the painful and discomforting moments of life leads to a purging of unwanted memories to move forward while acknowledging that may not always be that easy. Ortiz is unafraid to unleash the anger on this compelling kiss off of a gloriously noisy nugget of a song. The emotional whirlwind that is contained within it leaves an indelible mark on the listener eagerly waiting for whatever comes next from the outfit.