Anxious

Anxious draws from an array of tuneful emo and punk ensembles in an effort to secure a lasting position among the genre’s most esteemed acts, a lineage that includes Jimmy Eat World, Modern Baseball, and Title Fight. The Connecticut band’s first full-length, Little Green House, arrived in 2022 and advanced that ambition following several earlier releases rooted in hardcore.

The group came together in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 2016 when singer and guitarist Grady Allen sought an outlet to ease the pressures of high school. Bassist Sam Walter joined him, along with drummer Michelle Siegel, who departed soon afterward and was succeeded in 2017 by Dante Melucci. Inspired by the tradition of straight-edge hardcore bands, Anxious issued their self-released debut EP, Carved, that same year.

After generating attention within the Northeastern hardcore community, Anxious underwent substantial changes in 2019. Grady shifted to vocals only, passing guitar duties to Ryan Savitsky while Melucci also moved to guitar; Jonny Camner took over on drums. Expanded to a five-piece, the band signed with Boston’s Triple B Records and promptly issued the EPs Promo 2019 and Never Better.

Emerging from the COVID-19 lockdowns, Anxious introduced the two-track release New Shapes and the standalone song “The Long Spring” in 2021, now featuring bassist Sam Allen. The group then joined Run for Cover Records and prepared its debut album, deliberately expanding its raw edge with memorable rock melodies and luminous production recalling the early-2000s emo and indie surge. Little Green House, highlighted by anthems such as “In April” and “Growing Up Song” plus the dream-pop-leaning finale “You When You’re Gone,” earned widespread acclaim upon its 2022 release. After guitarist Tommy Harte replaced Ryan Savitsky, the band toured in support of the record, drawing praise for its dynamic performances and memorable material. A second album, Bambi, followed in 2025.