Last week the coolest video on the internet was a fan-filmed recording of The Killers performing “Mr. Brightside” live on stage in London after broadcasting, right there on stage, England advancing to the Euro 2024 final on the big screens behind them on stage. Less than 48 hours later, Western Education, the Lowell alt-rock powderkeg that performed a Vanyaland Halloween cover set as the Vegas band a few years ago in the Fenway, kicked in with a lethal sonic dose of their own via an urgent new single called “Catherine What Have You Done”.
The first taste of a forthcoming new Western Education album, “Catherine What Have You Done” hit the streams on Friday (July 12) and instantly reminded us of why we loved Western Education right from the jump: It’s an electric third-rail of a single that reflects the unrelenting heat of the pavement outside, eventually building to a mountainous chorus that shines in a luminous brand of rugged New England glitz.
Here’s what the boys have to say about it, beyond personally apologizing to anyone named “Catherine” on social: “Your romantic partner is dealing with mental health issues. You desire greatly to be there for them — but you feel the push and pull, the feeling of being trapped. You don’t know how to help, and your partner can’t help themselves. The goal of the song is compassion and awareness on the subject.”
Maybe we’ll hear it on stage in Boston 20 years from now when a United States team advances to the final of some major tournament.