There’s a certain moment we all recognise. That split second where you look at your life, your habits, your headspace, and realise you can’t keep going the way you are. Dylan Espeseth just put that moment on record.
His new single “Rot” is fast, loud, and emotionally exposed in the way the best pop punk always is. But what makes it hit harder is that it isn’t wallowing. This isn’t a song about sitting in the mess. It’s about recognising the mess, standing up in it, and deciding you’re done letting it win.
Right from the jump, “Rot” sounds urgent. Pounding drums, distorted guitars, a hook that feels built to be yelled back at a stage rather than quietly absorbed through headphones. It’s aggressive in the way that feels intentional, like bottled frustration finally being released with purpose. And underneath all that noise is a simple but powerful idea. Choosing to get better is an act of defiance.
Espeseth puts it plainly himself. “I’m gonna say I’m okay and really mean it.” That line alone tells you everything you need to know about where his head is at. “Rot” is about realising the life you’ve been living isn’t sustainable and making a conscious decision to change it. Not magically. Not easily. Just honestly.
What’s interesting is how much clarity sits beneath the volume. Earlier releases explored anxiety, burnout, and the feeling of being stuck on repeat. “Rot” feels like the point where that loop finally breaks. There’s still frustration here, still tension, but it’s directed forward. It’s the sound of someone choosing progress over comfort, even when progress hurts.
That balance between raw emotion and intention is what makes the track work. It never feels preachy or polished to the point of losing its edge. It’s messy in the right ways. Human in the right ways. You can hear the decision being made in real time.
There’s also something quietly impressive about how fully Espeseth has committed to his craft. His relationship with music runs deep, from growing up in school orchestra to bonding with his dad over vinyl records. His influences stretch across worlds, from Fall Out Boy and Dashboard Confessional to Bob Dylan, Juice WRLD, and Lil Peep. That mix shows up in the writing. Melodic but blunt. Emotional without being overthought.
During the pandemic, his connection to music shifted completely. After stepping away, he came back with renewed focus, teaching himself production, mixing, mastering, and recording. Instead of waiting for permission, he built the tools himself. That DIY mindset still runs through everything he’s doing now. A standout track from that period, “Falling Faster,” resonated with listeners who were also looking for something honest to hold onto during isolation.
Fast forward to now and the momentum is clearly building. Espeseth recently opened for The Rocket Summer in Los Angeles and continues to grow his audience by making music that prioritises honesty over hype. There’s a sense that he understands the importance of stepping back too, giving himself space to recharge rather than burning out for the sake of constant output.
“Rot” is also our first real glimpse into a much bigger picture. The track will appear on Espeseth’s debut full length album, currently in progress and produced entirely by Aaron Sprinkle. Yes, that Aaron Sprinkle. Anberlin. New Found Glory. MxPx. Having a producer with that kind of legacy guiding a debut record feels significant, especially for an artist this rooted in pop punk’s emotional core.
The album is planned for a 2026 release, and if “Rot” is any indication, it won’t be a passive listen. This feels like a record shaped by reflection, self awareness, and the decision to stop running from hard truths.
At its core, “Rot” isn’t just a song about decay. It’s about the moment you decide you’re worth saving. And sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of record you need to hear at full volume.
