YOUTHFUL ENERGY MEETS ROCK NOSTALGIA ON ARCY DRIVE’S EXPLOSIVE DEBUT “THE PIT”
Originally published here: https://distractedmag.com/2025/04/18/youthful-energy-meets-rock-nostalgia-on-arcy-drives-explosive-debut-the-pit/
Long Island’s indie rock band Arcy Drive has arrived with a bang on their debut album, The Pit, out now via AWAL. After making waves on the road with Flipturn and ahead of a spring run through Europe supporting Cassia, the band is showing no signs of slowing down, with a headline U.S. tour slated for this fall.
Formed in Northport, Long Island, Arcy Drive is made up of guitarist/vocalist Nick Mateyunas, guitarist Austin Jones, bassist Patrick Helrigel, and drummer Brooke Tuozzo. The four-piece first started turning heads with their grassroots hustle—posting raw, infectious originals on YouTube and TikTok while converting a school bus into a DIY tour vehicle. With over 177K followers on Instagram and 197K on TikTok, their rise feels both meteoric and hard-earned.
Following their 2022 debut single Roll My Stone and their 2023 EP Beach Plum, Arcy Drive steps into a new era with The Pit—a 12-track ride that blends coastal cool, stadium-sized hooks, and youthful introspection.
Among the standouts is Under the Rug, a bass-heavy, rhythm-driven track that grabs you with a killer groove and doesn’t let go. It’s a definitive example of the band’s knack for blending punchy instrumentation with earworm melodies.
Louie is pure fun—a danceable, sing-along anthem brimming with catchy lyrics and carefree charm. It’s a crowd-pleaser destined to be a setlist staple.
On the more reflective side, The Itch opens with sunny guitar riffs before bursting into a cathartic chorus. It’s a coming-of-age tale of uncertainty and restlessness, and it’s already slated for inclusion in Amazon Prime’s upcoming series The Runarounds.
Genre-bending moments like Inchin’ Up showcase the band’s versatility, with a twangy, country-tinged guitar line and jangly drums that nod to their broad sonic influences.
Thrift Store brings a fresh edge with its almost hip-hop–infused vocal delivery and driving beat—another track tapped for The Runarounds soundtrack. Meanwhile, Rocket Chair slows things down, offering a tender, introspective ballad about self-acceptance and letting go.
Rounding out the highlights, What’s in My Head is a joyride—fast-paced, drum-heavy, and irresistibly danceable, it’s the kind of track that brings festival crowds to life.
If The Pit is any indication, Arcy Drive isn’t just riding the indie wave—they’re carving out their own lane. With a reverence for rock tradition, a tireless DIY spirit, and hooks that hit just right, Arcy Drive is aiming high—and The Pit proves they’ve got the fuel to get there.