Over the past year, Chicago’s Varsity has been releasing digital singles that pair two of its bubblegum-punk songs in the grand tradition of 7-inch singles. Today, The A.V. Club is premiering the latest addition to the band’s growing discography, which it touts as a “double A-side single.” Neither “Smash” nor “Still Apart” deviate from the band’s established template, but they highlight the different ends of Varsity’s sound. “Smash” sees Varsity at its most manic, jumping from riff to riff and always teetering on the edge of collapse. On the virtual flipside, “Still Apart” is coated in heartache. It’s a track that sees Stephanie Smith moving on from past pains with a newfound confidence, as the handclaps in the background give each of her lines the feel of a self-assured strut. Listen to both “Smash” and “Still Apart” below, and take a peek at the band’s upcoming tour dates.
Varsity tour dates
July 1—The Hi-Fi—Indianapolis, IN
July 2—Northside Rock N Roll Carnival—Cincinnati, OH
July 8—The Observatory—Chicago, IL
July 9—Lo & Behold! Records—Detroit, MI
July 10—Smiling Buddha—Toronto, ON
July 11—Elvis Guesthouse—New York, NY
July 12—TBA
July 13—Alphaville—Brooklyn, NY
July 14—Eris Temple Arts—Philadelphia, PA
July 15—Agumboot Arts Festival—Cleveland, OH
July 16—TBA
July 23—Wicker Park Fest—Chicago, IL
Aug. 27—Cafe Berlin—Columbia, MO