PUP’s “Get Dumber” Embraces the Chaos with Jeff Rosenstock

PUP’s latest single, “Get Dumber,” is a two-minute burst of punk rock chaos, self-deprecation, and humor—exactly what you’d expect from the Toronto-based band. Featuring Jeff Rosenstock, the track leans into PUP’s signature mix of unhinged energy and anthemic hooks while embracing a looser, more reckless approach that feels both cathartic and hilariously self-aware.

Following their previous single, “Hallways”, which blended their punk roots with evolved musicality, Get Dumber strips things back to raw, frantic intensity—proving that sometimes, getting a little dumber is exactly what punk needs. The track also offers a glimpse of what’s to come from their upcoming album, Who Will Look After The Dogs?, set for release on May 2nd via Little Dipper / Rise Records. (reported by All About The Rock)

A Frantic, Unfiltered Explosion

From the opening moments, “Get Dumber” feels restless and anxious, kicking off with a punchy, distorted guitar riff that immediately sets the tone. The drumming is tight but deliberately off-kilter, adding to the track’s spiraling energy.

The verses are driven by Stefan Babcock and Jeff Rosenstock’s alternating vocals, making the song feel like a dialogue between two versions of the same self-destructive persona. Babcock’s voice carries his usual mix of defiance and exhaustion, while Rosenstock brings his frantic, slightly unhinged delivery that adds another layer of intensity.

The chorus is simple but incredibly effective—

“It seems like every year, I swear that you’re getting dumber”

—a sneering yet undeniably catchy hook that begs to be shouted at full volume. It’s a prime example of PUP’s ability to balance nihilism with humor, making self-destruction sound almost fun.

The “Ahhh Lyrics” Moment and Jeff Rosenstock’s Influence

One of the song’s most memorable moments happens in the second verse when Jeff Rosenstock forgets the lyrics mid-take and blurts out “Ahhh lyrics” instead. What started as an accident became a defining part of the track—both vocalists agreed that the original lyrics weren’t great, and the improvisation fit perfectly within the song’s theme of embracing chaos.

Stefan Babcock later revealed that the song was written in Jeff’s basement, where he was house-sitting at the time. “I always imagined our voices on this song together, so I was very happy when he agreed to sing on it,” Babcock shared. The two recorded the vocals face-to-face in the same room, meaning every take had to be nailed simultaneously—adding a raw, live feel to the track.

A Cathartic Spiral Wrapped in Humor

Musically, “Get Dumber” captures PUP’s ability to make disorder feel intentional. The track builds but never fully resolves, maintaining a sense of chaotic momentum throughout. The production is rough around the edges—deliberately unpolished, keeping the DIY punk aesthetic alive.

Lyrically, it’s both self-aware and hilariously self-destructive. The song reflects on feeling trapped in cycles of bad decisions while recognizing the absurdity of it all. Babcock and Rosenstock trade lines like two friends who know they should be better but can’t help but laugh at their own downfall.

Conclusion

“Get Dumber” doesn’t reinvent PUP’s formula, but it refines what they do best—delivering a short, fast, and chaotic punk song that’s as fun as it is self-deprecating. Jeff Rosenstock’s presence only amplifies the track’s sense of reckless abandon, making it one of PUP’s most effortlessly enjoyable releases in recent memory.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to scream along while simultaneously questioning all your life choices—and that’s exactly why it works.

For those who wants to hear the song, the song is accompanied by a music video on Youtube.

PUP – “Get Dumber” (feat. Jeff Rosenstock) Lyrics

[Verse 1: Stefan Babcock, Stefan Babcock & Jeff Rosenstock, Jeff Rosenstock]
Seventeen ways I can stop this
Seventeen nights in this coffin
No one cares if you’ve lost it when
There’s seventeen hands in your pocket
Turns out that I didn’t even want this
Lying on your couch so fucking despondent
You should try getting high more often
Holy shit, what a concept

[Chorus: Stefan Babcock & Jeff Rosenstock]
I don’t wanna hear
Who you’re dragging me under
It seems like every year
I swear that you’re getting dumber

[Verse 2: Jeff Rosenstock, Jeff Rosenstock & Stefan Babcock, Stefan Babcock]
I think I’m a drain, I can’t argue
You’re kinda the same, it’s sorta part of your charm
But when you really get on it
It’s pretty fucking obnoxious
Ahh, lyrics
You finally call, it’s so arrogant
“You still playing your song, that’s so embarrassing”
Nicе of you to be sentimental
I say as I swallow thе chemicals

[Chorus: Stefan Babcock & Jeff Rosenstock]
I don’t wanna hear
Who you’re dragging me under
It seems like every year
I swear that you’re getting dumber
You’ve got nothing to say at all
You’ve always had enough