MOLD! enters a dark forest in "Choose to be Controlled."

Skating gnarly figures around noise, punk, and exhilarating psychedelia, Miami-based band Mold! is rambunctiously working towards the killer release of their upcoming album due this September, and the final step before that fateful moment comes today with the release of their third hype-up single, “Choose to be Controlled.” It's a manifesto about the band's rebellion-with-a-cause.

Carlo Barbacci is a multi-talented musician who contributes his skills in guitar, vocals, and synths, along with Bronto Montano, a skilled bassist and vocalist, and equally talented drummer Frankie Lujan. They've decided to follow the same successful recipe that led them to win the prestigious ‘Miami New Times Best Emerging Act 2021’ award. In a collaborative effort with renowned sound engineer Ryan Haft, who has previously worked with well-known bands such as Torche, Wrong, and Jacuzzi Boys, the trio has teamed up once again to record and co-produce their latest album.

The song feels unequivocally meaningful for the rising trio, bearing a personal mission statement to always carve their path in the music industry rather than allowing Mr. Big to dictate where and how their music is made. A punk manifesto if there ever was one! The primal chaos that the music invokes is echoed a bit in the animated music video directed by Grayson Durham. The dark fantasy adventure romp is equal parts cartoony and moody, playing with amazing colors and charming and memorable character design for something that feels like ‘Adventure time!’ meets High On fire’s ‘The Black Plot’. Animated music videos always have that sort of unfair advantage, don’t they?