The Penske File Find Light in the Noise on Reprieve

There’s a kind of resilience that only comes from growing up in the same band, city, and scene — and The Penske File have it running through their veins. With Reprieve, the Hamilton, Ontario punk rock lifers deliver a cathartic and deeply personal record that finds beauty in getting older, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. Fueled by both reflection and raw urgency, the album captures a band that’s rediscovering its creative spark without losing its fire.

At the heart of Reprieve sits its lead single “Almost Young,” a track that bridges the past and present with equal parts heart and grit. It’s an anthem for holding onto the best parts of youth while making peace with change — a message that feels both intimate and universal. “It’s like saying, we’re not getting old … we’re almost young,” says frontman Travis Miles. In that single phrase, you can feel the emotional pulse of the record: hope, fear, nostalgia, and the fierce will to keep moving forward.

While “Almost Young” stands as one of the record’s most introspective songs, Reprieve itself is anything but quiet. Written after a reinvigorating stretch of touring in the wake of 2023’s Half Glow, the new album swings wide — from explosive punk catharsis to brooding, melodic reflections. Each track feels alive, shaped by the band’s instinct to capture the sweat, the camaraderie, and the volatility of their live shows.

To do that, the trio — Miles, James Hall (bass/vocals), and Alex Standen (drums/vocals) — recorded much of Reprieve live-off-the-floor at Halo Studios, harnessing the energy that has long defined their onstage chemistry. They then brought the sessions to their longtime friend and producer Adam Michael at Shrimp Studios, where they layered harmonies, refined textures, and built out the emotional contours of the record.

“This record taught me that creating a body of work with my best friends feels like home in a unique and pronounced way that can’t be replicated,” says Miles. “When I can bring something to the rehearsal space that excites both [bass/vocals] James [Hall] and [drums/vocals] Alex [Standen], after all these years, it feels like I’ve struck gold.”

That sense of gratitude — of finding meaning in shared creation — radiates through the album. The Penske File have always thrived on community and connection, but Reprieve feels like an even deeper bond, forged through the quiet moments between the chaos. The songs pulse with experience — the kind earned through years on the road, through early mornings after long drives, through navigating adulthood while refusing to give up what makes you feel alive.

“Almost Young” in particular reflects the push and pull of that experience. Written during a period of personal change — including conversations about having children — Miles wrestled with fear, identity, and what it means to evolve. “At its core,” he’s said, “it’s about holding on to the tenacity and glow of youth as it begins to slip away.” The song captures that tension beautifully: the verses pulse with restless energy, while the chorus bursts wide open, as if grasping for something just out of reach but refusing to let go.

The track’s final version was the product of tight collaboration. Standen and Hall helped shape the harmonies and hooks, friend Chuck Coles contributed the signature guitar lick that threads through the entire song, and producer Michael encouraged restraint — keeping the arrangement lean so that the emotional weight could shine through. The payoff is a punk rock anthem that feels both defiant and tender, the sound of a band in full command of its craft yet still playing with open hearts.

And perhaps the most poignant image of all comes at the end of the process: Miles, sitting in his home studio, listening back to the final mix of “Almost Young” as his daughter crawls across the floor beneath the speakers. It’s a quiet moment of renewal, a reminder of why the music matters — and why, even after all these years, The Penske File sound more alive than ever.

Reprieve isn’t just a return; it’s a reckoning. It’s what happens when punk rock grows up without losing its hunger — when three friends, after years of chasing the light, realize it’s still right there with them