Toronto’s premier punk rockers, The Anti-Queens, have made a triumphant return with their latest LP, “Disenchanted,” accompanied by a striking music video for the track “Overthinking.” Released globally in digital and vinyl formats via Stomp Records, this album solidifies their place as a dominant force in Toronto’s music scene. Fronted by the dynamic duo of Emily Bones and Valerie Knox, the band brings an unapologetic punk-rock energy that challenges the male-dominated industry. Their reputation for electrifying live shows, characterized by relentless energy and commanding stage presence, is well-deserved.
“Disenchanted,” recorded at Drive Studios in Toronto by Steve Rizun and Dave Baksh, continues the band’s tradition of delivering infectious, hook-laden anthems. Fans of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Distillers, Hole, L7, Lunachicks, and The Warning will find themselves right at home. The album, penned by Bones and Knox during the pandemic, explores themes of vulnerability, self-reflection, and the quest for self-worth and motivation. The band lays it all bare, offering a mix of light and dark, bright and dreary, magical and melancholic.
The standout track “Overthinking” is paired with a captivating music video, directed by Michael Crusty and Valerie Knox and produced by Crusty Media. The video, filmed by Michael Crusty and Sarah Mathieson and edited by Crusty, stars Emily Bones, Valerie Knox, Michael Crusty, Zoe McMillan, Ivy Bones, and Maggie Knox. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Uxbridge, ON, the outdoor scenes, shot in August 2023, exude the warmth of carefree summer days, perfectly encapsulating the song’s theme of navigating the mental maze of overthinking. The band reflects, “Overthinking is about the mental spiral of stressing over things beyond our control. We wanted the music video to visually echo this theme. The summer scenes capture that carefree happiness you feel when spending a warm, sunny day playing with your dog in the company of a best friend.”
The video’s emotional depth is further enhanced by the contrast between these joyful moments and the introspective indoor scenes filmed in January 2024 at GS209 in Etobicoke, ON. The full-band segment, shot in a brightly lit white room with the members dressed in all-black attire, dramatically heightens the visual contrast and intensifies the mood. The use of projection techniques during the indoor shoot, where the summer footage is overlaid onto the studio walls as the band performs, creates a visually stunning harmony that seamlessly blends both worlds, enhancing the narrative resonance of the music.
“Disenchanted” is a powerful testament to The Anti-Queens’ ability to evolve while staying true to their punk roots. With its infectious melodies and raw emotional depth, this album is sure to resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Check out “Overthinking” below:
