ACTORS: Modern Post-Punk & Darkwave from Vancouver

February 14, 2026 Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor Entertainment

Vancouver-based post-punk quartet ACTORS released their new single, “CTRL,” on February 14, 2026, a track described by the band as “a rally cry, a reaction to a world spinning out of control.” The song, a driving four-on-the-floor composition, marks the band’s first release of the year and pushes their established sound “further into the red,” according to a statement accompanying the release.

Formed in 2012, ACTORS consists of Jason Corbett (vocals and guitar), Shannon Hemmett (keyboards and backing vocals), Kendall Wooding (bass and backing vocals), and Adam Fink (drums). Corbett, the band’s founder, previously led several other Vancouver-based musical groups, including rockabilly outfit The Saddlesores, alternative rock group Speed to Kill, and indie rock band TV Heart Attack, before establishing ACTORS as his primary musical outlet.

“CTRL” draws comparisons to artists like Depeche Mode, The Bootblacks, and The Human League, blending elements of dark disco with a commanding, danceable energy. The song’s title references the “CTRL” key on a computer keyboard, a command used for shortcuts and undoing actions, a metaphor the band utilizes to represent a desire for control in a chaotic world. The lyrics explore themes of longing, memory, and regret, set against a backdrop of “flooded streets” and “misery with teeth.”

ACTORS have released two albums to date: It Will Come To You (2018) and Acts of Worship (2021). Their music has been praised for its “sonic cinematics” and atmospheric quality, with critics noting Corbett’s “crooning reverb” and the band’s skillful integration of synths and guitars. Recent releases include a reanimated reissue of previous work on pink vinyl and splatter vinyl pressings.

The band is currently booking tour dates, with information available through their Linktree page. “Being true to yourself is an act of resistance,” Corbett stated, framing the song as a personal statement against a backdrop of global uncertainty. The single is available for order now.