Hear the new synth-pop anthem from Certain Times, “Lose Control”

On June 9, Certain Times will release their new album Desire via Double Phantom Records. Today, the Brooklyn synth-pop group have shared a new single from the album, “Lose Control,” which you can stream below. Steeped in vintage analog synth sounds and pulsing new wave rhythms, “Lose Control” is an anthemic pop song that builds from a spacious, minimal intro into a soaring chorus worthy of early New Order or OMD (or, when viewed from a certain angle, even Joy Division’s “Atmosphere” with a dance beat). It feels joyful in spite of how it wrestles with a kind of existential anxiety. Regardless, its warm sonic atmosphere feels like the best prescription.

Certain Times’ Nathaniel Higgins said in a statement about the song, “I often feel overwhelmed navigating life and career. Am I doing this right? Am I in the right career? Why does society put so much pressure to be passionate about a career anyways? We’re all pretending right? Who really has a five year plan and do those who do have a more fulfilling life or are they just as miserable as the rest of us? What’s really important?

“‘Lose Control’ is about putting these feelings aside and finding release. I could feign passion for my career and develop a plan or I could live in the moment, take life as it comes and try to enjoy myself before I die.”