Best New Punk Songs: CorMae, The Freebies, Lady Lazarus + Mesh

“RUT” by CorMae

“RUT’s” about the constant and degrading search for menial labor, simply because someone’s got to pay the bills. It’s a punk rock tale that dates back at least to Patti Smith’s “Piss Factory.” Austin’s CorMae add fresh voices to that evergreen chorus on this cut from Everything is SO GREAT!, a no-skips-warranted set of songs that came out in June.

 “Friends” by The Freebies

A four-piece from Los Angeles, The Freebies clearly dig ’60s girl groups (some of the best and most crucial music committed to wax), jangle pop and the first-wave punks that revived the two-and-a-half minute single. A recently shared video for “Friends” showpieces a harmony-drenched tune about not returning someone enamored with you’s feelings.

“(Wanna Be a) Riot Grrrl” by Lady Lazarus

Berlin-via-Sydney band Lady Lazarus fly the Le Tigre flag high on this, a standout track from June 26 release Dichotomy. It’s danceable (complete with rock ‘n’ roll throwback “na na nas”) while mixing humor with a serious call to action. Other angsty anthems for a new generation of feminist punks include “Don’t Need U” and “PARTY!”

“Boots on the Pavement” by Mesh

Philadelphia’s Mesh fine-tuned and polished its garagey post-punk approach on long-awaited debut album No Fun At All. “Boots on the Pavement” best exemplifies how smoothly Allison Durham and Sims Hardin blend as both guitarists and singers. Few things top co-ed vocals when they’re executed this seamlessly. They’re joined by a rhythm section that truly sets the band apart from most peers: bassist Tom Riese and drummer Steve Darling.