New York indie outfit BODEGA have made their return with brand new single Pick Up The Check, marking the first glimpse of new material from the band in 2026.
Bodega
Accompanied by a self-directed video from guitarist and vocalist Ben Hozie, the track captures BODEGA’s signature mix of wit and social observation, while pushing their sound into fresh territory. Set against the backdrop of an imagined awkward dinner date, Pick Up The Check explores the emotional toll of staying in unfulfilling relationships—romantic or otherwise—and the quiet liberation that comes from walking away.
Sonically, the single signals a shift. Recorded in Leeds with producer Matt Peel—known for his work with Yard Act—the track marks the first time the band have stepped outside New York to record. The sessions took place in a deconsecrated church studio, adding an atmospheric edge to the process, before being mixed in Brighton by Theo Verney.
While BODEGA have often been associated with post-punk, their latest material looks to broaden that identity. Drawing inspiration from late ’80s and early ’90s alternative rock, the band lean into a warmer, more expansive sound palette—one that nods to the likes of The Stone Roses and Jane’s Addiction—while still retaining the sharp lyrical edge that defined earlier releases such as Endless Scroll, Broken Equipment and Our Brand Could Be Your Life.
The new single arrives as BODEGA prepare for a run of international live dates, including a return to the UK this September. Among those shows is a special headline appearance at London’s iconic 100 Club, offering fans a chance to experience the band in an intimate setting.
With Pick Up The Check, BODEGA continue to evolve—balancing their art-school sensibilities with a growing appetite for bigger, more immersive sounds, while maintaining the observational bite that has set them apart.
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