PREMIERE: DIY Indie Pop Rocker Kerrin Connolly Grapples With Anxiety In The Internet Age On New Single ‘Big Amygdala’

Jamming into 2026 with a nostalgic early 2000s indie pop rock banger, Kerrin Connolly‘s new single, “Big Amygdala,” has hit streaming services today. It is the second single for their upcoming full album, Simpleton, due out February 20th. 

The main centerpoint of the single is the amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with things like fear, anxiety, and fight or flight responses. Throughout the buoyant and effervescent number, the lyricism allows the personification of the amygdala to question itself in a way.

The context revolves specifically around struggles with OCD and anxiety in the context of the internet — a highly relatable sentiment. “Googling answers to your compulsive life or death questions hoping to get some reassurance, but ultimately falling victim to rabbit holes and even more worry,” Connolly states in further explanation of the song. 

Sonically, “Big Amygdala” harnesses notable synth and lead guitar riffs that compliment Connolly’s vocals with precision, amounting to something of an 80s dance track meeting early 2000s pop-punk energy, much akin to their biggest influences.

Much of Connolly’s music is within the DIY indie rock space, with it having a late 90s/early 2000s vibe, giving it this magnetic catchiness. As a do-it-yourself artist, most of their projects are solely done as singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer, with some help in between.

Connolly’s approach to songwriting and producing was recognized by the same internet that gives them such anxiety, as their 2020 song, “Fly in My Room,” went viral, and has since amassed over two million streams on Spotify alone. In 2016, their music career was essentially launched by a unique Young The Giant cover video posted on YouTube, which was shared on Reddit and gained 300,000+ views and most of the indie artist’s current fans.

Many of Connolly’s works revolve around what’s happening in the brain or the emotions that it results in. Their first single for their upcoming album, “Quiet” is the feeling of being in a public setting and choosing flight to get away from all the noises. Throughout its instrumentals, it adds sounds that resemble the happenings of a bar or a club in a sci-fi 80s soft rock atmosphere.

The overall theme of Connolly’s music is anchored by their mellow yet resonating vocals above dynamic instrumentals and notable riffs. “Big Amygdala” is out everywhere, and their upcoming and final single before the album, “Flowers Pt. 1” will hit streaming February 13th.