Petey Bares His Soul on New Album 'USA'

The Los Angeles-based artist's Capitol Records debut blends warmhearted sincerity and delightfully warped humor.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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On his new album 'USA', Chicago-bred singer/songwriter Petey bares his soul about everything from masculinity to anxiety to the nature of human existence. The follow-up to his 2022 debut 'Lean Into Life', the album was produced with John DeBold and Aidan Spiro and features Petey's idiosyncratic breed of alt-pop/rock.

Why it matters

Petey's deeply personal songwriting on 'USA' offers a candid perspective on mental health and the complexities of modern masculinity, aiming to provide comfort and catharsis for listeners struggling with similar issues.

The details

The album includes autobiographical tracks like 'Home Alone House' as well as impressionistic vignettes that reveal the depth of Petey's inner world. Songs like 'I'll Wait' and 'Did Mention I'm Sorry?' explore themes of anxiety and self-consciousness, while 'I Tried to Draw a Straight Line' cycles through existential questions.

  • Petey's debut single 'Apple TV Remote' was released in 2022, leading to his signing with indie label Terrible Records.
  • Petey's debut album 'Lean Into Life' was released in 2022 before he signed to Capitol Records.
  • Petey's new album 'USA' is set to be released on February 26, 2026.

The players

Petey

A Chicago-bred singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles who has built a massive following on TikTok for his absurdist alt-comedy.

John DeBold

A music producer who has worked with acts like Wallows and Remi Wolf, and co-produced Petey's new album 'USA'.

Aidan Spiro

A music producer who co-produced Petey's new album 'USA' alongside John DeBold.

Young Jesus

The Chicago-based indie-rock band that Petey previously played drums for.

Terrible Records

The indie label that released Petey's debut album 'Lean Into Life' and helped pave the way for his signing to Capitol Records.

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What they’re saying

“For me making music has always been like throwing spaghetti at the wall, and working with John and Aidan allowed me to be reckless and experimental while giving each song the care it deserved.”

— Petey (creativeloafing.com)

“We hear so much today about toxic masculinity, so the idea behind that song is trying to reclaim masculinity in a way that's actually positive and helpful.”

— Petey (creativeloafing.com)

“It's about someone who's so self-conscious that it becomes almost narcissistic, because they can't stop obsessing about their own anxiety.”

— Petey (creativeloafing.com)

“That song's an overview of my mental state when I'm over-analyzing everything. It ends with wondering if we're living in a simulation, and all the paranoid but also calming thoughts that come with that.”

— Petey (creativeloafing.com)

“So much of life is out of our control, which is really scary, but hopefully these songs will help people feel a little better and less alone in their struggle.”

— Petey (creativeloafing.com)

What’s next

Petey will be performing songs from 'USA' on a nationwide tour starting in March 2026.

The takeaway

Petey's deeply personal and genre-blending album 'USA' offers a raw and relatable exploration of modern masculinity, mental health, and the human experience, aiming to provide comfort and connection for listeners struggling with similar challenges.