By Hattan Savage, Rock At Night Nashville
Review: The Idiot Kids single ‘Zeros & Ones’ – Release date June 6, 2025
Detroit-based garage/punk trio The Idiot Kids just dropped “Zeros & Ones,” the first single off their upcoming LP set to release later this year.
Jon-Mikal Bartee is the mastermind behind The Idiot Kids. You’ve heard of a one-man band, but have you heard of a solo-crafted anthem? That’s exactly what “Zeros & Ones” is. Bartee wrote, recorded, engineered, and mixed this track alone. I have noticed that some artists choose to take this route when they have a crystal-clear sound in mind. When there is a very specific sound they’re aiming to achieve, introducing outside influence can lead to a diluted product. It’s a bold move, and one that I admire greatly. Through “Zeros & Ones,” listeners get to ride shotgun through Bartee’s mind.
The track opens with an immediate gut-punch of screaming vocals, wailing guitar, and drums that lead the way into a scalding track, filled with raw emotion, high energy, and no apologies.
The Idiot Kids have been a staple in the Detroit garage/punk scene for well over a decade, tearing up stages around town. Guided by self-expression and embracing queer pride, Bartee explains the inspiration behind the new single: “Zeros & Ones” (referring to binary code that computers use) is about not feeling like you really fit into any aspect of society (whether that’s identity, politics, sexuality, etc.). It’s an unabashed rejection of dichotomy and “us vs them” ideology. A raw, energetic, queer anthem about owning who you are.”
This track isn’t just a single, it’s a statement. The Idiot Kids deliver this anthem for anyone who feels like they don’t fit in. It’s fast, it’s loud, and most importantly, it is absolutely unapologetic.
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- Review: The Idiot Kids’ single ‘Zeros & Ones’ - June 6, 2025
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