Pool Kids shave shared their final pre-release single “Sorry Not Sorry” ahead of their new album Easier Said Than Done, which drops on August 15 via Epitaph Records.

Frontperson Christine Goodwyne says of the new track: “When you feel like you’re somebody’s second choice, or like you’re not as important to them as they are to you, it can send you into this desperate, embarrassing sort of spiral. In phases like those, it can feel very empowering to pick yourself up, take control of the situation and be like “whatever, I’m not going to tolerate this, I don’t need this person’s approval”. I used to get caught sort of in the middle of those two approaches, swinging back and forth between totally desperate and totally in-control.

It’s been many years since I’ve dealt with or felt anything like that, but it’s the kind of feeling that you never forget. Sometimes when I’m writing it can be inspiring to tap into those old, more potent emotions that I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s kind of an ode to an old version of myself that would’ve found a song like this very cathartic.”

The band returned to Seattle to work with Mike Vernon Davis (Foxing, Great Grandpa), who produced their self-titled. The band funded the studio sessions with money they’d saved from years of steady touring, eager to explore the freedom that comes with making a record independently. They spent five weeks together in the summer of 2024, staying with friends, at motels, and in the studio itself to save money. They recorded late into the night, driving to the edge of the city to shower at a Planet Fitness once they’d wrapped for the day.

While writing, Goodwyne challenged herself to focus on the present moment and only use lyrics she had recently penned, rather than looking back through old notes for starting points. “There’s a lot of Florida imagery and a lot of really specific glimpses from tour on this album,” she says. “By letting myself get specific, I feel a lot more emotionally connected to the songs. It’s a very personal record for me and for the whole band, too. I was writing about what life has been like for all of us over the last few years. I feel like all of us can relate to a lot of the songs.”

Over the past few years they’ve shared stages with The Mountain Goats, PUP, Beach Bunny, and La Dispute. Throughout their rapid artistic growth, they’ve held fast to the principles of their DIY origins. At their shows, they hammer home the message that anyone can do what Pool Kids do. Anyone can start a band. Anyone can make a record. Everyone deserves to chase their dream.

Pool Kids 2025-2026 Tour Dates

Sept. 19 – Nashville, TN – The Basement
Sept. 20 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Sept. 21 – Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents
Sept. 23 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Sept. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – Ukie Club on Franklin
Sept. 26 – Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom
Sept. 27 – Montreal, QC – Bar le Ritz PDB
Sept. 28 – Toronto, ON – The Baby G
Sept. 30 – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary Detroit
Oct. 01 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café
Oct. 02 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
Oct. 03 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Oct. 04 – St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
Oct. 06 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Oct. 08 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
Oct. 10 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
Oct. 11 – Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
Oct. 12 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
Oct. 14 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
Oct. 16 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
Oct. 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
Oct.18 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live
Oct. 20 – Denton, TX – Rubber Gloves
Oct. 21 – Austin, TX – 29th Street Ballroom
Oct. 23 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (purgatory)
Oct. 25 – Gainesville, FL – FEST 25 *
Nov. 5 – Tampa, FL – New World Music Hall *
Nov. 6 – Miami, FL – Gramps *
Nov. 8 – Nov. 13 – Coheed and Cambria’s S.S. Neverender

w/ Truth Club & Pony
*Pool Kids only

Pool Kids UK/EU Tour Dates (2026)

Feb 17 – Southampton, UK @ The Joiners *
Feb 18 – Bristol, UK @ Exchange *
Feb 19 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club *
Feb 20 – Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute *
Feb 21 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo *
Feb 23 – Birmingham, UK @ Hare & Hounds V2 *
Feb 24 – Brighton, UK @ Patterns *
Feb 25 – London, UK @ The Garage *
Feb 27 – Paris @ Supersonic
Feb 28 – Brussels, BE @ Birmingham ^
Mar 1 – Cologne, DE @ Blue Shell ^
Mar 3 – Hamburg, DE @ Hebebühne ^
Mar 4 – Berlin, DE @ Berghain Kantine ^
Mar 6 – Eindhoven, NL @ Altstadt ^

* w/ Sydney Sprague
^ w/ Swain

pre-order Easier Said Than Done HERE