Cut from 2023's Improved Means To Deteriorated Ends, these songs come together as Come Back As A Bug, a new two-song single that captures Washer with their most accessible recordings to date, two bent yet radio-friendly punk songs that highlight the range in the duo’s sound.

Thematically, the new pair of songs touch upon similar themes to Improved Means, with Quigley’s lyrics a rumination on depression and the push-pull of over analyzing vs. shutting down completely. Washer are offering the sort of “grit-your-teeth-and-carry-on-out-of-spite” kind of feeling.It’s not exactly sunny days and tropical drinks, but there’s plenty of charm to be found in the big hooks and the power-pop tinged melodies. “You’re Also A Jerk” is signature Washer, a song that takes a minimalist framework and converts it into an introspective anthem. Quigley describes the track’s lyrics as “the sort of caustic pull of self-hate and how it distorts attempts at analysis into a navel-gazing feedback loop.”

On the other hand, “Come Back As A Bug” is a little bit of a departure musically, a song that leans into the country twang the band began exploring on their last record. It's one of the few Washer songs to clearly have a third distinctive part (lead guitar, in this case), making it an unlikely contender for a live staple, though the band have been known to have a guest join them when the occasion arises. Washer’s music has always had that innate ability of letting the listener know they’re not alone, we’re all struggling together. Like anxiety magic, Come Back As A Bug is a chance to get out of your own head and into someone else’s.