Kevin Bronson on October 5th, 2023

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We were recently told our diet has been punk-deficient. So herein we feature singles from Death Lens, Hit Bargain, the Linda Lindas, Plague Vendor and Agender. Enjoy …

DEATH LENS, “Vacant”

East L.A.’s Death Lens last month announced their signing to Epitaph Records, at the same time releasing the new single “Vacant.” It’s a dyed-in-the-wool punk anthem about frontman Bryan Torres’ battle with sobriety. “I hold ‘Vacant’ dear to my heart because it tells my everyday story of existing with social anxiety and relying on alcohol to break that since I was young,” he says. It was only last year that Death Lens released their latest album, “No Luck.” Death Lens open for the Frights on Halloween night at the Observatory.

HIT BARGAIN, “Degree Decree”

“Degree Decree,” art-punk foursome Hit Bargain’s first single since their 2018 album “Potential Maximizer,” says a lot, and in a hurry, and in your face. That’s their M.O., sardonically torching at all manner of societal ills — here, the climate crisis. “We’re sorry we used up all the trees / And killed all the bees,” Norah Singh exclaims. The band will release their new album “A Dog A Deer A Seal” on Nov. 10. Hit Bargain opens for Les Savy Fav at the Teragram Ballroom on Oct. 14.

THE LINDA LINDAS, “Resolution/Revolution”

“Resolution/Revolution” is the latest from punk cherubs the Linda Lindas, who played Coachella and Lollapalooza this year, opened for Paramore, are doing a November tour with Illuminati Hotties (locally, Nov. 20 at the Observatory) and even have a cameo in the new PBS/KCET documentary “Chinatown Punk Wars” (recommended). Of the new single, the band says, “Bela [Salazar] had been rocking out to a lot of Pantera and Judas Priest when we started writing ‘Resolution/Revolution.’ She came in with a riff and as we worked together, it morphed into composition about making small dents in big problems to make a difference in the long run.”

AGENDER, “Damaged Girls”

L.A. post-punk provocateurs Agender, who will be playing opening night of the two-weekend Substance 2023 in November, have released their frist single since their formidable 2022 full-length “No Nostalgia.” The song is an homage to women, with Romy Hoffman’s vocals doing deadpan damage over relentlessly hypnotic beats and streaking synths and guitars. Agender has an album in the works for release next year.

PLAGUE VENDOR, “Keep It Up”

SoCal stalwarts Plague Vendor turn down the manic and turn up the menace on “Keep It Up,” their second single of the summer (following “Window”). On both, frontman Brandon Blaine remains convincingly dark and urgent (he’s even made in impressive “Haunted Hits” playlist). For more than a decade now, the band has been must-see for their visceral live shows — and speaking of, Plague Vendor’s postponed September gig has been rescheduled for Nov. 3 at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach.