Smut — the Chicago band composed of vocalist Tay Roebuck, guitarist Andrew Min, bassist/synthist Bell Cenower, guitarist/synthist Sam Ruschman, and drummer Aidan O’Connor  — shares two new singles, “18 Tons” and “Y Signal,” ahead of tour dates with Knifeplay and Citizen. “18 Tons” and “Y Signal” are featured as bonus tracks on the Japanese CD version of Smut’s 2022 Bayonet debut, How The Light Felt, and receive their first widespread release today.

Building on How The Light Felt’s exploration of grief, “18 Tons” uses swirling synths and crackling drum samples to score dark, bargaining feelings — “If I dance around questions, walk through walls // Start painting in blue // Just know that I’m trying” — before exploding into a cacophonous final chorus. “Y Signal” is just as cathartic, opening with the marimba-like high tones of a synth ringing out, leading into a gentle anthem for avoidant personality types. “I have a tendency to shut up // When things get tough,” Roebuck sings, sprinkling short fantasies of revenge and blame against a hopeful backdrop of sweeping synths. Together, the bonus tracks offer a thrilling continuation of Smut’s vast sonic palette, anchored by Roebuck’s ever-incisive songwriting.