News · 2 August 2026

Brisbane's Bugs Return With New Single 'Tough Love'

The track is taken from the band's upcoming new album, 'HEAD NOISE'.

Image: Tim Lambert

Four years on from the release of Brisbane trio Bugs' Cooties album, the band have returned in a big way with catchy new single 'Tough Love'.

Debuting on triple's Drive program, 'Tough Love' is the first taste of the group's upcoming fourth album, HEAD NOISE, which is set to drop Friday 28 August.

Frontman Connor Brooker describes 'Tough Love' as "a fun, lighthearted critique of emotional manipulation. It's about realising that you can stand up for yourself when you're being taken advantage of. It explores the internal monologue that exists when you're trying to understand the way you're being treated. We originally recorded it as more of a typical Bugs track, but spent a lot of time reimagining the rhythm to give it a certain ‘bounce’ and energy."

'Tough Love' arrives after a challenge period for the band, with bassist Jordan Brunoli diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer last year. Bugs returned to the stage for their Saving A Bug’s Life fundraiser show in October last year, selling out The Tivoli with support from mates Dear Seattle, Beddy Rays, Sly Withers, Hope D, The Buoys, TOWNS, RAAVE TAPES, and many more.

Bugs have been a mainstay of the Brizzy scene for over a decade, with their pop hooks and groovy riffs earning them a loyal fanbase. The trio released their debut album, Growing Up, in 2016, and followed up with 2019's Self Help and 2022's Cooties.

The band's iconic Like A Version cover of Mallrat's 'Charlie' was named #25 in 2023's triple j Hottest 100 Like A Versions of all time, and with more new music on the horizon, it won't be long until they are charting in triple j's yearly Hottest 100.

'Tough Love' by Bugs is out now. Listen here. HEAD NOISE is out Friday 18 August.