There’s a specific kind of love song that doesn’t whisper. It grabs you by the collar, turns the amps up, and makes you want to dance until the walls shake. Emily Wolfe’s “Kill Me With A Kiss,” released with Judge & Jury, is exactly that.
The Austin-based singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer has spent years breathing fresh life into classic rock & roll. A self-taught player since age five, she’s shared stages with acts including TOOL, The Gaslight Anthem, Heart, The Struts, Pretenders, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Her dominating guitar style and powerful vocals have also led to two signature Epiphone Sheraton models, the Stealth and the White Wolfe. On “Kill Me With A Kiss,” that fire meets a personal spark.
Inspired by moments spent with her wife, the track is a punk rock-infused love song that celebrates the person who helps you stop hiding and start living. Wolfe has been clear about the approach: “It’s a love song, but not a soft one. I wanted it to rock, so I leaned into ripping guitars with the Ramones as my north star.” The result sits comfortably in the space between punk energy, alt-pop hooks, and garage rock grit. You can hear the intent in the driving rhythm and the guitars that refuse to stay polite. Lines like “Teach me how to dance / I don’t wanna be lonely” (from the official release) land with both vulnerability and attitude, turning a private feeling into something you can shout along to.
Judge & Jury, the label founded by Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace, has been the home for Wolfe’s recent run of singles. “Kill Me With A Kiss” arrives as the third single from her forthcoming album on the imprint, following earlier 2026 tracks. Produced by Gavin Brown, the song keeps the rawness and honesty that have defined her sound while giving the love story real volume. The official music video, directed by Ryan Faist, captures that same kinetic feel.
In a landscape where a lot of rock-leaning pop either softens the edges or leans too hard into nostalgia, Wolfe keeps the balance sharp. The guitars bite, the energy stays high, and the emotional core stays specific rather than generic. It’s the kind of track that fits both a late-night drive and a packed room.
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What do you think of this artist’s sound? Does a love song hit harder when it rocks instead of whispers? Let me know in the comments.
