DOLL Premiere New Single “Bear Claw”

“Bear Claw” continues DOLL’s evolving “Animal Crackers” trilogy, which began earlier this year with the fan‑favourite single “Shark Bait,” featured on "Better Days, Better Times."

“We had such an amazing response to our first ‘Animal Crackers’ concept with ‘Shark Bait. We always planned to release three animal‑themed songs, but that positive feedback really propelled us as we finalized the next piece of the trilogy, Bear Claw,” the band explains.

“I think it’s safe to say this is our best effort yet. We brought back some of that legacy DOLL riffing, mixed in the hardcore elements we toyed with in ‘Shark Bait,’ and really pushed ourselves creatively with the vocals and lyrics. We hope this one is just as well received, if not better. I guess it depends on whether you’re more of a land or sea animal lover.”

The single’s artwork pays homage to classic Smokey the Bear posters, reimagined through DOLL’s gritty, tongue‑in‑cheek lens. Artist Mark Kidd once again brought the concept to life with bold character design and a nostalgic yet rebellious aesthetic.

“We wanted to revive some of the artwork we grew up with. We went heavy on that Smokey‑the‑Bear look, but added our own comedic twist, putting Doll on the hat and rebranding Smokey as Grungey. He’s got a chip on his shoulder, some attitude,” the band adds.

Musically, “Bear Claw” taps into the band’s classic sound while pushing into new territory. The track features signature leads, heavy wah‑wah pedal work, Christina’s unmistakable bends, and bursts of rapid‑fire strumming. The chorus hits with a hardcore‑infused punch from Pete, driven by drop‑tuned guitars that add weight and urgency.

The band also leaned into atmosphere and tension, crafting a breakdown recorded through a low‑fi head and amp setup to create a spooky, suspenseful moment before slamming back in with the crunch of the PRS MT100. The result is a dynamic blend of old‑school grit and modern heaviness, achieved without relying on keyboards, instead letting raw instrumentation carry the emotion.

With “Bear Claw,” DOLL continue to build on their renewed momentum, delivering a track that’s fierce, fun, and unmistakably their own.

“This song is definitely our most creative vocally. Christina changed up the delivery in ways we haven’t done before. We wanted the song to be fun, with some light‑hearted lyrics, but still true to the raw rock vocal and lyrical style that DOLL has always been about.”

After a long hiatus, DOLL returned in 2025 with their album "Better Days, Better Times," re‑establishing themselves as one of Ottawa’s most compelling alternative rock acts. Formed in Ottawa, Ontario, DOLL first broke onto the scene with their 2009 debut "Inside The Dollhouse," followed by 2011’s "The Ragdoll Diaries." Their music has been featured on MuchMusic and MusiquePlus, and the band has shared stages with Three Days Grace, Lacuna Coil, Danko Jones, Spinnerette, Protest the Hero, Band of Skulls, Anvil, Halestorm, SNFU, Hanzel Und Gretyl, Civet, The Creepshow, Die Mannequin, and more.