After surviving another harsh Massachusetts winter, it’s finally time to get outside again—feel the cool air, the sun on your face, and wreck your 30-year-old body at weekend hardcore gigs. Boston’s Low Tide are a perfect soundtrack for that seasonal shift. The world might still be awful, but at least it’s warm out—and you don’t have to shovel your car every day.
The band first made noise with their 2024 debut EP, dishing out bitter, heavy hardcore that drew comparisons to 2010s heavy hitters like Trapped Under Ice, Backtrack, and Keepers of the Faith-era Terror. Since then, Low Tide have doubled down on that sound, releasing tracks like “Dive” and the skateboarding tribute “Flow” over the past year—each one a reminder of just how crushing yet energetic they can be.
With each release, the breakdowns have gotten heavier, the two-steps more infectious, and Swindy’s vocals sharper and more direct. On “Flow,” in particular, he channels a lifelong devotion to skateboarding, urging listeners to push past hesitation—hit the ground running and get back up for more. That mindset carries over into Low Tide as a band: make music that pushes you to disregard fear and take what’s yours.
Now in 2026, Low Tide tighten their grip with Yacht Club, a three-track EP that wastes no time getting to the point. It’s short, aggressive, and packed with breakdowns, all elevated by Swindy’s raw, confrontational delivery.
“I think the lyrics are really about saying ‘fuck it and fuck you too,’ Fuck people trying to impose their will over you. Fuck the oppressors. Fuck anyone who doesn’t accept you for you.”
Kicking things off is “Slug,” opening with slow, chugging metallic riffs before snapping into a faster, thrash-driven section. Swindy’s lyrics cut straight through: “Just a slug, a fucking disease.” Whether it’s a boss screwing with your paycheck or someone cutting you off in traffic, the track taps into that universal urge not to let anything slide.
Despite being a relatively young band, Low Tide already sounds locked in. That precision is largely thanks to drummer Steve’s Swamplight Studios in Lakeville, MA, where the band handles recording and experimentation on their own terms. “It’s always a fun experience recording here with this band because we can try a whole bunch of different things with no real time limit,” Steve says. “No one is shy about giving mix notes, so we ended up with something we’re all really happy with.” Having an in-house studio has allowed the band to refine their sound with each release.
“Time2Die” follows seamlessly, hitting like an extended breakdown from the previous track. Built on slow, grinding riffs that never let up, the song feels tailor-made for the pit—its title alone sounding like a warning shot to anyone standing still.
Closing track “Get a Grip” might be the band’s most complete statement yet. It pulls together everything Low Tide have been building toward—metallic crunch, hardcore bounce, and full-on chaos—into one track. The breakdowns hit like wrecking balls, matching the destruction hinted at in the EP’s artwork. As a snapshot of where Low Tide are in 2026, Yacht Club feels definitive—and leaves you wanting more.
That’s by design. “We have four tracks in the oven, so a second release later this year is a high possibility,” Swindy says. “Just continuing to write cool stuff and getting more connected with other bands and members of the hardcore community is the plan.”
Outside the band, there’s still time for the usual chaos. Garrett jokes that he’s been trying to peer pressure Swindy into buying a motorcycle, while also plotting a camping trip for Jim’s birthday and possibly finding an excuse to play Montreal. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Steve are experimenting with ways to incorporate tech into the live set—something the rest of the band is slowly warming up to. And if you catch them this summer, don’t be surprised if there’s a game of catch happening in the parking lot before the set.
Low Tide haven’t locked in an official release show for Yacht Club just yet, but they’re aiming to pair it with a music video shoot. Either way, it’s hard to imagine a New England summer without at least a few Low Tide shows—so keep an eye out.
In the meantime, grab your skateboard, wax your surfboard, and get ready. Yacht Club is open for members.
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Low Tide on social media: Instagram
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