Savings Return After Two Years with “Stressed Out”
After nearly two years without new music, Albuquerque alternative/pop-rock band Savings are officially back. Released today via Graveboy Records, "Stressed Out" marks the band's first release since 2024's How Do You Feel? and introduces a new chapter built on rediscovering why they fell in love with making music in the first place.
Made up of original members Sam Wilmot (vocals), Nick Encinias (guitar), Robby Galang (bass), and Grey Archuleta (drums), Savings have spent the last several years carving out a sound that blends alternative rock with pop melodies while holding onto the emotion that first connected them with listeners. After some members stepped away and eventually returned, the band enters a new reunification era, bringing them all back together with a renewed sense of purpose. Rather than picking up where they left off, "Stressed Out" finds the band moving forward with a clearer understanding of who they are, both individually and collectively.
The band explained that "Stressed Out" was written after a period of trying to "figure ourselves out, both as individuals and as a band," with each member facing different challenges along the way. Those experiences became the foundation of the song, putting into words the uncertainty and anxiety they were working to overcome.
It makes perfect sense for "Stressed Out" to introduce this next era. The band described it as "an honest telling of what we've been through that everyone can relate with," adding that it was created with "creative freedom" and a renewed focus on making music simply because they love it.
That same mindset carried over into the song's music video, which the band produced themselves. Rather than aiming for perfection, they focused on creating something that stayed true to the meaning behind the song. They admitted, "it's obvious we did the music video ourselves," but believe that "the charm of friends just having fun" reflect the band better than anything else could.
While the band's foundation remains rooted in emo and alternative rock, "Stressed Out" also showcases how their sound has naturally evolved. Savings acknowledged that earlier releases leaned much more heavily into emo and pop punk. Over their break, the band embraced the other styles they love, and those influences have become a much bigger part of the sound listeners hear today.
That evolution first began taking shape on How Do You Feel?, the band's 2024 EP that has since surpassed one million streams. Looking back, the members said the project taught them how to incorporate more influences into their songwriting while still keeping "our foundation as an emo band." As they continue moving forward, they're excited to keep blending those different sounds without losing what made Savings who they are.
That momentum isn't stopping with one release. Savings confirmed that fans can expect more music later this year alongside more live performances, adding that they're "back with more energy" and intend to stay busy.
With "Stressed Out" now out in the world, the band's attention turns back to the stage. Savings expressed their excitement for their upcoming shows, including Vans Warped Tour Long Beach, approaching them differently this time around, staying mindful of "why we do this in the first place." For them, it's about the love of music and having fun while continuing to connect with fans.
Interview by Bek Allegretti
