COSMIC KITTEN "Breadcrumbs" dives headfirst into the chaos of an unwanted online affair

San Pedro-based post-grunge/punk quartet COSMIC KITTEN return with their explosive new single “Breadcrumbs” the third release from their highly anticipated self-titled album, out later this year via Psyched! Records.

Driven by a snarling bassline reminiscent of The Jesus Lizard and unrelenting punk fury, “Breadcrumbs” dives headfirst into the chaos of manipulation, deception, and the blurry lines of an unwanted online affair. With screaming, visceral vocals and a jagged, abrasive hook, the track captures the feeling of being caught in someone else’s web — manipulated into a trap that left not only the narrator wounded, but two other innocent victims as well

“Breadcrumbs is about falling into something you never intended — realizing too late that you were just another pawn in someone else’s game,” explains vocalist Karen Marie. “It’s about the shame, the anger, but also the realization that everyone involved ended up hurt, their lives destroyed except for the one person who deserved that destruction the most.”

Karen further states, “I was in a really vulnerable place in my life, suffering greatly from depression, and some rockstar guy took advantage of my vulnerability and naivety at the time, telling me everything I needed to hear. It was strange, I thought I fell in love.. Which made no sense, but he told me he loved me and talked to me every single day for almost a year, becoming my main support system– a rather toxic one.”

With each release from their upcoming record, Cosmic Kitten sharpen their reputation for channeling vulnerability into blistering, unflinching grunge-punk anthems. “Breadcrumbs” follows the band’s tradition of merging raw emotion with a wall of sound, standing as both a personal exorcism and a communal rallying cry.

Produced by Alex Edkins (METZ), engineered by Ben Greenberg (Uniform), mixed by Graham Walsh and mastered by Jack Endino, the track was crafted to preserve its raw core. Every distorted guitar, every screamed lyric, carries the weight of that inner struggle, unrelenting and honest.

To accompany the release, Cosmic Kitten will also unveil a music video for “Breadcrumbs”, directed by Bella Villa. The video takes the story to a more visceral and subliminal space: the antagonist is shown constantly manipulating the protagonist, influencing them, and pushing unwanted advances — mirroring the song’s narrative of entrapment and exploitation. Intercut with these tense, unsettling scenes are powerful shots of Cosmic Kitten performing in a live setting to a lively crowd, where fans mosh, dance, and lose themselves in the band’s abrasive, cathartic sound. The live energy contrasts the darker narrative, reinforcing the sense of rebellion, release, and collective power that the band embodies.

Fans can listen to “Breadcrumbs” on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, YouTube, and other streaming platforms starting September 19th, 2025.

A blend of alternative, post-grunge, and punk-infused energy, Cosmic Kitten is a band unafraid to dig deep into the raw emotionality of their sound. With intense performances and introspective lyrics, they have captured the hearts of fans who crave authenticity and powerful musical expression.

The San Pedro-based now quartet formed in 2016 and has become a collective force in the post-grunge, punk, and alternative rock scenes. Karen Marie (she/they) on guitar and vocals takes listeners on an emotional journey, with vocals that range from soft, reflective tones to fierce, powerful screams, accompanied by fuzzy, bright guitar riffs. Zach Huckabee (he/they) is a driving force behind the band’s high-energy sound, delivering precision and aggression on the drums that bring groove and intensity to every track. Jay Vesper (they/them) offers dynamic, fluid basslines that anchor the music with precision, while John Chavez (he/him) on rhythm guitar adds the heavy riffs that pummel the audience with raw power.

As a unified band, Cosmic Kitten creates a seamless blend of gritty 90s grunge and modern rock energy. They’ve released four full-length albums, including You Gotta Understand, recorded by Ulysses Noriega (known for his work on The Offspring’s Smash), and have toured across the U.S. Laugh of a Lifetime, released in 2023, was recorded by Pedro Mancillas and Steve Moriarty of The Gits, and mastered by the legendary Jack Endino, the producer behind Nirvana’s Bleach.

Their self-titled, Cosmic Kitten, will be the band’s fifth full-length LP however, their very first on the San Francisco label Psyched! Records, as they were recently signed in October 2024. This album delves into themes of existential struggle, emotional emptiness, and the desire for revenge or relief from pain caused by others. It explores moments of confusion, self-reflection, and the realization of how personal choices impact others. There’s also an underlying theme of finding motivation to rise above challenges, using anger as a source of strength and empowerment.

Cosmic Kitten began working on their self-titled unknowingly after they released their “Your Insult” single in Sept. 2024. While on tour promoting Laugh of a Lifetime and the release of “Your Insult,”Psyched! Records quickly took notice of the powerhouse and asked to sign the quartet. The band had some new songs under their belt, most unfinished and timid to get to the finish line however, due to some personal life changes and the recent signing, the band got together and worked harder than ever as a collective to create something unapologetic and brutally honest. They reached out to Alex Edkins (METZ) with little hope that he would be interested in producing the band but to their surprise, he was all in. Edkins brought along Ben Greenberg (Uniform) to engineer, and the noise rock family gathered at Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles, CA for one week to record. After everything naturally fell into place, Graham Walsh very abrasively yet, neatly mixed the record. Cosmic Kitten once again took their work to Jack Endino to get mastered– a rather perfect fit.

Cosmic Kitten continues to make their mark as a cohesive, collaborative force in the LA and OC music scenes—far from just backing any one member, but thriving together as a powerful whole.