Hey music lovers, buckle up because Brian Michael Henry just dropped a track that feels like speeding down a rainy highway with the radio blasting and your heart racing. If you’re into post-punk, gothic dark wave, and indie pop with a killer retro edge, “Faster” is the new single you need in your rotation right now.
Picture this: you’ve just watched the final scene of the film Pollock, where Jackson Pollock’s life takes that tragic, chaotic turn in a drunk-driving accident. That raw intensity, that sense of everything hurtling out of control — that’s exactly what sparked Brian Michael Henry to write “Faster.” Musically, he drew straight from Del Shannon’s 1961 classic “Runaway,” that haunting, propulsive energy that still hits like a gut punch decades later. The result? A song that blends brooding atmosphere with an irresistible drive, perfectly capturing the thrill and danger of momentum you can’t (or won’t) slow down.
New York-based singer-songwriter, actor, and pianist Brian Michael Henry has been quietly building a seriously compelling catalog since his 2021 debut album Remote Work. His 2023 full-length If I Have To Stop This Car leaned hard into pulsing synths, warm bass vocals, catchy hooks, and clever lyrics about trying (or half-heartedly wishing) to change people. Tracks like the Ronnie Spector homage “Never Be My Baby,” the Smiths/Cure-tinged “Clone You,” and the twisted country-ballad vibes of “Back To River City” showed his knack for twisting familiar sounds into something fresh and personal.
“Faster” marks another step forward as the latest single from his upcoming EP Hustler (dropping April 24, 2026). It’s got that signature Henry touch: electronic production that feels both cold and warm at the same time, with masterful guitar work from frequent collaborator Colin Summers adding extra texture and bite. You can already feel the post-punk roots meeting gothic dark wave shadows and indie pop hooks — the kind of track that works perfectly whether you’re driving late at night, dancing alone in your room, or just zoning out with headphones on.
Brian is taking the song live for the first time on March 20th at Sugar Mouse in NYC, and if the studio version is any indication, it’s going to hit even harder on stage. As a proudly gay artist from Central Pennsylvania now calling NYC home, Henry brings a sharp, observant perspective to his songwriting that mixes vulnerability with wit. Everything starts on piano for him — he’s a pianist at heart — but he always hears the “cyborg version,” the synth-driven twin that makes his music feel alive and modern even when it nods to the past.
In today’s music scene, where dark wave and post-punk revival are having a serious moment (just look at the playlists dominating underground feeds), “Faster” stands out because it doesn’t just borrow from the classics — it crashes into them with purpose. It’s moody, cinematic, and strangely addictive, the kind of song that makes you want to turn the volume up and keep driving faster.
If you love artists who mix indie pop accessibility with gothic dark wave atmosphere and post-punk edge, Brian Michael Henry deserves a spot on your radar. “Faster” is out now on all major streaming platforms — go give it a spin and tell me it doesn’t get stuck in your head.
What do you think — does this car-crash energy hit different for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let me know if you’re heading to that NYC show!
