We recently had the opportunity to check out the new single, “Game Over”, from Boston’s finest chiptune trio, Battlemode. You can listen to “Game Over” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here,

Game Over” soundtracks a broken relationship in a way only Battlemode could; its vibrant Game Boy pulsation and moody blacklight kiss-off slams the controller down on the game of love and quickly unplugs the console. It’s a polished earworm that takes us back the dank mental arcade of our youth, with a kaleidoscopic euphoria, a glitchy witch house undercurrent, and a hypnotic tumble that demands repeated listens.

Not only do we get blazing new music from Battlemode, but the trio is getting ready to take the stage at Boston Calling , “Game Over”, comes exactly one week before taking the stage at Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston alongside Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Vampire Weekend, Fall Out Boy, and a few dozen others.  

Lining up this new single ahead of the Memorial Day weekend music festival is no coincidence. While last summer’s smooth synth-pop jam “Playlist” was all about wallowing after a bad breakup and listening to all the songs two lovers once shared in the good times, the moody pulsation and basement rave kiss-off of “Game Over” slams the controller down on the game of love and quickly unplugs the console. 

When the song declares “I’m so done with you” in a high falsetto that arrives with such sass our heads snap back to the dank mental arcade of our youth, it’s clear Battlemode – the tag-team combo of Astrologic (Astro), Bifflecup (Biff), and Sam Mulligan – is moving on and moving out. 

Following in the path of “Playlist” and buoyant “Just Pretend,” which got the proper music video treatment this past January, “Game Over” is a polished earworm with a kaleidoscopic euphoria, a glitchy witch house undercurrent, and a hypnotic tumble that demands repeated listens. The infectious track was produced by Curt Martin, and Narvicto DeJesus delivered the bright and animated single artwork.

“Oh, not Battlemode doing another song about a soured relationship,” says Biff with a cocksure wink and a roll of the eye. “Are we petty for writing a song about exes who have wronged us? Our last breakup song ‘Playlist’ came from a place of heartbreak and vulnerability. We’re sad bois, OK?!?! But ‘Game Over’ covers the colder side of breakups. When someone has tried your patience to a point where you’re dead inside.” 

“Game Over” is Battlemode, fully charged and playing at full strength. The lyrics may imply “Game Over” However, Battlemode, is ready for the next level.