On “Face in the Crowd,” Cubs sharpens the focus of what’s quickly becoming a clearly defined voice. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming debut album, Meet Me at the Rocket, due later this spring on Fork and Spoon Records.

Where the album’s title track opened with classic rock confidence and momentum, “Face in the Crowd” pulls inward. The song is built around a repeating synth line that gives it a darker, more contemplative feel. Bass drives the track with a steady pulse over a locked drum pattern, while plucked piano lines and distorted guitar accents drift in and out, adding texture without overwhelming the center. The restraint works in the song’s favor, keeping the spotlight on Joe Changs quivering vocals and vivid lyrics.

Lyrically, “Face in the Crowd” moves through a series of intimate vignettes — acts of mischief, quiet grief, and everyday conversation — capturing the uneasy feeling of being surrounded by people and still going unseen. Chang’s writing turns these moments into reflections on anonymity and collective memory, landing on the quiet realization of being present but indistinguishable: “I don’t fit in but I don’t stand out.”

Recorded at Jam Room Recording Studio in Columbia and engineered and mixed by Zac Thomas, the track underscores Cubs’ collaborative ethos. Every part feels intentional, measured, and in service of the song. As just the band’s second release, “Faces in the Crowd” stands on its own, emphasizing close observation and an approach that rewards patient listening.