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California-based melodic punks Moonraker have shared the lyric video for their new single, "Portrait of the Artist as a (sort of) Young Man.” The song is taken off the band's upcoming full-length, out later this year on Punkerton Records.

"Portrait of the Artist as a (sort of) Young Man” gives Moonraker a strong narrative angle, centered around paranoia, fear, self-doubt, and searching for meaning during a year marked by crisis. Described by drummer and vocalist David Green as “snapshots of different moments in a year full of crisis,” the song leans into the band’s signature mix of emotionally heavy songwriting, existential humor, sharp wit, and explosive melodic punk energy. The track’s energetic yet melancholy, vocal-centric sound makes it well-positioned for fans of melodic punk, emo punk, skate punk, '90s melodic hardcore, and emotionally driven alternative rock.

Moonraker comes into this release with an already established grassroots fanbase, a growing music catalog and a strong reputation within the independent punk scene. And with the upcoming album and their recent signing with Punkerton Records, 2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year for Moonraker.  

"Matt had been living in New Orleans for a couple years. When we started working on what would become Me And The Bells, Nick and I flew in for a weekend to try and put some ideas together. This is one of the first ones that came out of that batch. I love this song a lot," says vocalist/drummer David Green. "It’s about feeling paranoid and afraid and looking for meaning in yourself when you might’ve lost sight of who you were trying to be. Maybe the answer was in front of you the whole time. Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe you’re better than you thought. Who knows. It’s kind of snap shots of different moments in a year full of crisis."  

Since forming in the early 2010s, Moonraker has released multiple acclaimed projects including Fail Better, Lanterns, and The Forest, earning praise for balancing vulnerability and sarcasm while combining gritty SoCal punk and emotionally charged Midwestern melodic punk.