As someone who’s spent decades lamenting the decline of modern rock, it’s rare that a new artist catches my attention, let alone holds it. Most of what passes for rock these days feels overproduced, devoid of edge, and completely disconnected from the raw emotionality that once defined the genre. But every now and then, a track comes along that surprises me. Rachel DeeLynn’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” is one of those rare exceptions.
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This single, taken from her upcoming debut EP, is a fiery, unapologetic slice of pop-punk that manages to feel both fresh and familiar. From the first chord, there’s an energy here that’s hard to ignore. The guitars crunch with just enough grit, the drums are punchy and propulsive, and DeeLynn’s vocal performance is equal parts vulnerable and defiant. It’s a sound that calls back to the heyday of Paramore and the emotional immediacy of early Alanis Morissette, while still carving out its own identity.
The song’s subject matter—finding your voice after being silenced—is hardly new territory in rock music, but DeeLynn approaches it with such conviction that it doesn’t matter. Lines like, “I’ll scream until I crack your house of glass,” cut through with a sharpness that feels deeply personal, yet universally relatable. There’s no pretense here, no overthought metaphors or contrived cleverness. It’s raw, straightforward, and refreshingly honest.
One thing I’ll begrudgingly admit is that “Can You Hear Me Now?” benefits from modern production. While the polished sound of today’s rock often leaves me cold, here it works in DeeLynn’s favor. The layers of instrumentation—chiming guitars, driving basslines, and thunderous drums—are balanced in a way that keeps the energy high without sacrificing clarity. And DeeLynn’s voice? It’s front and center, exactly where it should be.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hear echoes of Olivia Rodrigo in the track’s pop sensibility, but that’s not a criticism. DeeLynn blends the angst of modern pop with the fiery spirit of rock in a way that feels natural, not calculated. It’s the kind of track that could easily cross over into mainstream playlists while still resonating with fans who miss the days when rock ruled the airwaves.
“Can You Hear Me Now?” isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a reminder that rock doesn’t have to be revolutionary to be impactful. Sometimes, all it takes is a strong voice, a catchy hook, and the guts to say what needs to be said. DeeLynn has all of that in spades, and it’s enough to make even a jaded critic like me curious about what she’ll do next.
Rachel DeeLynn may be new to the scene, but if the rest of her debut EP carries the same fire as this single, she just might restore my faith in modern rock. Time will tell, but for now, consider me impressed.
Trace Whittaker