Hit Like a Girl share new single "Are You In Love" feat. Sweet Pill's Zayna Youssef

HIT LIKE A GIRL
SHARE “ARE YOU IN LOVE” FEAT. ZAYNA YOUSSEF

FORTHCOMING LP

DUE MARCH 27, 2026 VIA CRYPTID RECORDS

2026) – Philadelphia-based emo-punk stalwarts Hit Like a Girl – the songwriting project of Nicolle Maroulis (they/them), with Mol White (they/them) and Mike Davis (he/they) – have been teasing their forthcoming full-length Burning At Both Ends, out March 27 via Cryptid Records, with the recently released singles “Keepsake Theory” and “Only Have Myself.” The former features haunting guitar played by Jacob Blizard, frequent collaborator of Lucy Dacus and Illuminati Hotties, and today, the band is excited to share “Are You In Love,” another collaborative effort, featuring Zayna Youssef from Sweet Pill.

While Hit Like a Girl often explores topics that carry substantial emotional weight, “Are You In Love” delves into the lighter side of romance. The song is playful, flirty and tentatively hopeful. Taking inspiration from 80’s and 90’s synth pop and rock, this song is the perfect backdrop for an unfolding love story. The bouncy synth line, wistful guitars, and intertwining vocals from Nicolle and Zayna create a tapestry that has us recalling the first sparks of a crush.

STREAM “ARE YOU IN LOVE” FEAT. ZAYNA YOUSSEF HERE

The band has been on the road supporting Middle Aged Queers and performing some headline gigs, and tonight they play San Diego at Humble Heart Ocean Beach. Next month, they’re hosting and performing at No More Dysphoria Fest in their native Philadelphia with sets from Hop Along’s Frances Quinlan and others, followed by an appearance at Liberation Weekend in Washington, D.C. on April 26, then a headlining run beginning in May. Full list of dates below.

Speaking on Burning At Both Ends, Hit Like a Girl’s fifth and most collaborative LP to date, Maroulis explains, “It’s the first album I was able to write with the folks in my current live lineup.” While Burning At Both Ends is a record that is proudly unafraid to delve into dark and painful emotions, Nicolle Maroulis (they/them) has struck the perfect balance between exploring hardships and pure, danceable, raucous fun. Taking the title from the common phrase “burning the candle at both ends,” Nicolle is no stranger to hard work, whether that be within the framework of a romantic relationship, navigating mental health struggles, or constantly putting their all into their music. This album is a reckoning of sorts; it begs the question, “What happens when there is nothing left to give?” Taking sonic influence from midwest emo, hardcore, synth pop, and alternative, Burning At Both Ends is incredibly energizing while remaining grounded. Whether it's a destabilizing life change, a devastating heartbreak, or a boundary yelled with conviction, this record will leave you wanting more.

Hit Like a Girl Tour Dates:

2/18/26 - San Diego, CA @ Humble Heart Ocean Beach

3/06/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church

4/03/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Silk City

4/26/26 - Washington, D.C. @ Transmission D.C.

5/07/26 - Cleveland, OH @ Happy Dog

5/08/26 - Chicago, IL @ Burlington Bar

5/09/26 - Lansing, MI @ Stoop Fest

5/10/26 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Roboto Project

5/11/26 - Richmond, VA @ Bandito’s

5/12/26 - Washington, D.C. @ Quarry House Tavern

5/13/26 - Boston, MA @ O’Briens Pub

5/14/26 - Burlington, VT @ Odd Fellow

5/15-17/26 - Montreal, QC @ Pouzza Fest

5/18/26 - Holyoke, MA @ Holyoke Media

5/19/26 - Meriden, CT @ Grace’s Place

5/29/26 - Columbus, OH @ Dirty Dungarees

5/30/26 - Newport, KY @ Midwest Friends Fest, South Gate House Revival

About Hit Like a Girl:

Queer heartache is a unique experience, and one that Hit Like a Girl knows well. Drawing influence from pop, emo, indie, and even hardcore, the band channels yearning, love, and loss into intimate yet catchy music that may resonate with fans of Tigers Jaw, The Anniversary, or Rainer Maria.

Hit Like a Girl is the songwriting project of Nicolle Maroulis (they/them), joined by a rotating live lineup that now features Mol White (they/them) on synth and backing vocals, and Mike Davis (he/they) on drums and backing tracks.

Hit Like a Girl strives to represent trans and queer artists and inspire them to follow their creative pursuits. In 2016, Maroulis founded No More Dysphoria, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to help transgender individuals pay for major aspects of their transition.

Maroulis is a masterful and prolific songwriter. In the eight years since Hit Like a Girl’s inception in 2017, Maroulis has released three full-length records: You Make Sense (2017), What Makes Love Last (2018), Heart Racer (2021) and one EP, Becoming (2022). The band has performed alongside the likes of Mom Jeans, Kississippi, Origami Angel, Pool Kids, and Prince Daddy and the Hyena, and has toured with acts including John-Allison Weiss and The Iron Roses.

About Cryptid Records:

Cryptid Records is an artist-forward label committed to unbreaking the music industry through transparency, collaboration, and wraparound support. No gatekeeping, no gaslighting – we’re demystifying the business and supporting sustainable artist careers. We give artists what they need to thrive: fair deals, honest communication, holistic wellness programs, and a team that has their back. Cryptid Records is a label where community matters, artists thrive, and contracts don’t come with fangs.

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