Salt Lake City art-pop band Die Shiny released their most emotionally direct track to date with “Gold Star, Good Citizen” as a powerful reflection on solidarity, responsibility, and collective action in uncertain times.
Musically, “Gold Star, Good Citizen” marks a striking departure from Die Shiny’s usual synth-heavy, dancefloor-focused sound. Soaring vocals sit above atmospheric guitar textures, swelling bass synths, and percussion inspired by military drills. Friends of the band were recruited to create the track’s rhythmic foundation through synchronized stomping, clapping, and body percussion, reinforcing the song’s tension between conformity and resistance.
The song was written in a single morning by vocalist and songwriter Callie Crofts and debuted live within a week, performed minimally at a protest on the steps of the Utah State Capitol. The Independence Day release date is a deliberate choice: a fan’s comment that the band should write “the new national anthem” is both the
context and the challenge the track accepts.
“A fan recently commented that we should write the new national anthem. If I were ever to attempt such a thing, this would be that song.” Callie Crofts, Die Shiny
Formed in 2019 by vocalist and songwriter Callie Crofts and audio engineer and drummer Zac Bryant, Die Shiny have become one of the most distinctive voices in Salt Lake City’s underground music scene. Drawing together art-pop, electronic experimentation, existential questioning, and a deep sense of community, the queer-and-allied group has built a reputation for transforming difficult subjects into cathartic, emotionally charged live experiences.
In a state often associated with Mormon culture, political conservatism, and rapid technological expansion, Die Shiny’s music offers a different perspective: one rooted in empathy, solidarity, and collective humanity. Their live shows have become known for blending theatrical spectacle, sharp social commentary, and joyful celebration of queer identity.
SLUG Magazine previously described the band’s work as “an anthem for the oppressed” and called them “one of the coolest bands ever to come out of Utah” following the release of their 2025 EP Glory. Their single “Healthy Sex Drive” surpassed 500,000 Spotify streams after gaining traction on TikTok, while videos for “Embalmed” and “Sacrament” have received multiple awards and finalist placements at regional film festivals.
With “Gold Star, Good Citizen,” Die Shiny delivers a song that asks difficult questions without pretending to have easy answers, pairing personal vulnerability with a broader call to move beyond comfort and toward collective responsibility.
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