Ninebanks are stepping beyond their pop-punk roots with “It’s a Trap,” a new single that introduces a heavier British alternative rock direction. Produced and mixed by Joe Marsh, the release brings aggressive guitar tones and modern production into focus while preserving the melodic hooks at the heart of the band's music.
Changing musical direction can be a difficult decision for a band with an established sound. Familiar elements provide continuity, but they can also create expectations that leave little room for experimentation.
With “It's a Trap,” Ninebanks are beginning to challenge those expectations.
The single marks a deliberate departure from the group's traditional pop-punk approach, drawing instead on the heavier character of British alternative rock. Yet the change isn't presented as a complete reinvention. Ninebanks remain committed to the memorable, singalong choruses that have helped shape their musical identity.
Rather than abandoning those foundations, the band is placing them within a different sonic framework.
Beyond the Pop-Punk Formula
Pop-punk has long relied on the combination of energetic instrumentation, accessible melodies and immediate emotional impact. British alternative rock, meanwhile, offers a broader musical vocabulary, allowing heavier guitar arrangements to sit alongside similarly direct songwriting.
Ninebanks' latest release moves towards that intersection.
The band's promotional material cites You Me At Six, Mallory Knox and Boston Manor as reference points for “It's a Trap.” Although each has developed a distinct approach to guitar-driven music, all three provide context for the territory Ninebanks are now exploring.
The emphasis is no longer solely on the familiar momentum of pop-punk. Instead, the group is introducing a more forceful instrumental character without losing its melodic focus.
It's a measured change in direction, one that suggests an interest in expanding the band's musical possibilities rather than replacing its existing identity.
Where Raw Guitars Meet Modern Production
At the centre of the release is the production work of Joe Marsh, who handled both production and mixing.
According to the band's press materials, “It's a Trap” combines polished, contemporary production with raw and aggressive guitar tones. That contrast is central to the single's intended sound: the clarity of a modern rock recording alongside the rougher character associated with heavier guitar music.
The approach reflects an important part of the transition Ninebanks are making.
Moving into alternative rock doesn't necessarily require sacrificing accessibility. A more substantial guitar sound can coexist with strong melodies, provided neither element overwhelms the other.
For Ninebanks, the continued emphasis on singalong hooks suggests that songwriting remains a priority even as the instrumental palette changes.
Rather than using heaviness as a replacement for melody, the band is positioning the two as complementary elements.
A New Direction with Familiar Foundations
One of the more interesting aspects of “It's a Trap” is the balance Ninebanks are attempting to establish between continuity and change.
The band's decision to move away from its traditional style introduces a different set of musical influences, but its commitment to memorable choruses remains intact.
That continuity gives the transition a clear point of reference.
A shift in genre can easily become an exercise in adopting familiar characteristics from another scene. The more meaningful challenge is finding ways to incorporate those influences without losing an individual musical identity.
With “It's a Trap,” Ninebanks are presenting a direction that leaves room for both.
The single also arrives with an accompanying music video and a full promotional campaign, giving this change in sound a broader presentation beyond the recording itself.
Whether the band continues further into British alternative rock remains to be seen. For now, the release establishes the direction they are interested in pursuing.
IndieBird Perspective: Moving Forward Without Starting Over
“It's a Trap” represents a notable moment for Ninebanks, not because the band is leaving pop-punk behind entirely, but because it is reconsidering how its established strengths can work within a heavier musical setting.
The combination of aggressive guitars, contemporary production and accessible choruses outlines an approach that draws from both sides of the group's musical identity.
The references to You Me At Six, Mallory Knox and Boston Manor provide a sense of where Ninebanks are heading. What will matter in future releases is how the band develops those influences into something recognisably its own.
A change in sound is only the beginning of that process.
With “It's a Trap,” Ninebanks are opening a new chapter without closing the door on what came before.