Bukowski Unleashes Raw Emotion in Debut Album: I Don’t Wanna Live. I Don’t Wanna Die.

Melbourne-based Bukowski has finally unveiled their long-anticipated debut album, "I Don’t Wanna Live. I Don’t Wanna Die" an 11 track exploration of vulnerability, angst, and unfiltered emotion. This record solidifies Bukowski’s place in the alternative music scene, blending ferocious riffs with poignant introspection.

The album features a collection of powerfully raw tracks, including previously acclaimed singles ‘Superweak’, ‘Sow’, and ‘What Do You Want Me To Be’. These songs have already gained significant attention, with playlist placements on Spotify, Apple Music, and airplay on Triple J.

Bukowski enlisted producer Jack Newlyn (Paradise Club) to help bring their sonic vision to life, resulting in a record that seamlessly balances aggression with emotional depth. From the relentless intensity of opener ‘I DON’T WANNA LIVE’ to the hauntingly hopeful closer ‘I DON’T WANNA DIE’, each track encapsulates the band’s struggle with existential crises and inner turmoil.

Speaking about the record, the band shared:

“This is one for the quiet little whispers of desperation. The tiny fractures in the quiet that only you can feel. A deep perilous gasp caught, as it tries to implore for the sweet relief of life’s unrelenting cycle. The whispered pleas falling on deaf ears. The battle between holding on or letting go.We stand at the crossroads; I don’t wanna live, I don’t wanna die.”

Bukowski’s return to the scene has been nothing short of triumphant. After a three year hiatus, they re-emerged in 2024 with the explosive single ‘one hundred seconds’, which received support from Triple J's "Mornings" and "Short.Fast.Loud", as well as coverage from notable publications such as Wall of Sound, Pilerats, HEAVY Mag, and The Rock Pit.

Their follow-up track, ‘Superweak’, has surpassed 160,000 streams on Spotify, while ‘Sow’ earned them a coveted spot on Spotify’s "All New Rock" playlist and received global recognition, including airplay on BBC Radio 1’s "Rock Show". Most recently, ‘What Do You Want Me To Be’ debuted on Triple J’s "Home & Hosed" and secured another Spotify playlist cover with "Local Noise".

Comprised of James Karagiozis (vocals/guitar), Benji Malkin-Adby (guitar), Gerard Dowling (drums), and Jamie Rolfe (bass), Bukowski has been making waves since their 2017 EP "Grow Up. Give Up. Let Go." Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for their gritty, emotionally charged sound and have shared the stage with bands like Knuckle Puck, Trophy Eyes, and Deaf Havana.

Now, after years of refining their artistry and navigating personal challenges, Bukowski is ready to take on the world with "I Don’t Wanna Live. I Don’t Wanna Die."