New York City’s underground music scene has long been a breeding ground for raw, unfiltered rock, and with their debut single “Red Eye“, YACOVELLI proves they’re ready to take off—literally and figuratively. Released on February 14, 2025, Red Eye isn’t just a song; it’s an attitude, a sneer, and a full-throttle sonic ride from the tarmac to 40,000 feet.
At its core, Red Eye is a rebellious anthem, slathered in grungy guitar riffs, taunting vocal hooks, and a swagger that refuses to be ignored. Frontman Alex Yacovelli, known for his past projects Rich N Pretty and Not Your Queen’s English, takes the wheel both musically and thematically, producing the track and infusing it with a blend of alternative punk, garage rock, and ‘90s-era grunge. Featuring a searing guest guitar solo from Derrick Leach (Viv and the Revival), the song is a chaotic, high-energy punch to the gut, reminiscent of Kurt Cobain’s raw delivery and David Johansen’s theatrical bravado.
From the first distorted guitar strike, Red Eye locks listeners into a whirlwind of sound and satire. The song doesn’t just embrace the reckless energy of punk—it weaponizes it. Yacovelli’s biting vocals layer over chunky, relentless riffs, crafting a track that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
But what makes Red Eye stand out isn’t just the fury of its sound—it’s the scathing commentary hidden within. Yacovelli describes the track as an “anti-anthem for modern social media-driven travel culture”, a tongue-in-cheek critique of the jet-set lifestyle glorified on Instagram.
“The song teases and celebrates the jet-setting lifestyle,” Yacovelli explains. “It’s about people who are constantly flying to the next destination, flexing for social media, but never really absorbing the culture of the world.” The lyrics paint a picture of a hyper-curated existence—always on holiday, always camera-ready, always desperate for validation.
This critique hits hard in a world where perception often outweighs experience. The repetitive, almost taunting nature of the vocal phrasing makes Red Eye feel like it’s mocking the very lifestyle it’s describing, daring listeners to question how much of their own lives are performed rather than lived.
For those familiar with Yacovelli’s storied history in the NYC music scene, this track is a natural evolution of an artist who’s always leaned into bold statements and gritty authenticity. Raised in Hell’s Kitchen, Alex has been a fixture in the underground circuit since the late 2000s, bringing an unrelenting energy to venues like Mercury Lounge, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Pleasantville Music Festival.
His resume is just as stacked as his sound—from sharing a stage with Weezer at their Madison Square Garden debut to earning an Honorable Mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition (alongside Meghan Trainor, no less!), Yacovelli has long been on the fringes of mainstream recognition, crafting a career built on authenticity and edge.
And Red Eye isn’t just a debut for YACOVELLI—it’s a mission statement. This is Neo-Grunge at its finest, a track that doesn’t just echo the legends of the past, but reimagines their rebellious energy for a digital age.
The production, though intentionally raw, is meticulously layered, creating a track that feels chaotic yet calculated. The searing guitars, pummeling drums, and perfectly unpolished vocals come together in a way that feels live, immediate, and undeniably urgent.
With this single, YACOVELLI doesn’t just introduce themselves to the world—they kick the door down and demand attention. Red Eye is for the disillusioned, the dreamers, and the ones tired of watching life through a filtered screen.
So turn up the volume, throw on your headphones, and let YACOVELLI take you on a ride where nothing is as perfect as it seems—and that’s exactly the point.
