If you’ve been waiting for a band that treats power pop like a sacred text rather than a museum exhibit, the Khouri brothers have something for you. Brazilian indie sensations Banda AL9 have just dropped a sparkling new rendition of The Rubinoos’ 1978 classic “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” and it’s exactly the kind of sugar-rush love letter you’d hope for from a band this fluent in jangle, harmony, and hooks.

“‘I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend’ just clicked with us right away,” the band says. “It has that upbeat, feel-good energy we love, plus strong vocal harmonies – something we always look for in songs. The guitars really stand out too, especially the solo, which adds a great touch. It’s fun, catchy, and all about love, which is something we’ll never get tired of singing about.”

Mission accomplished. The cover lands with the kind of grinning confidence that suggests Matheus Khouri (vocals, lead guitar) and Thiago Khouri (vocals, bass) have spent more than a few late nights memorizing every “ooh” and “aah” in the original. It’s reverent without being precious – the sort of cover that introduces a new generation to a classic while making longtime fans nod in approval.

Alongside the Rubinoos tribute, Banda AL9 are also rolling out “She Calls Me Love (2026 Mix),” a punched-up revisit of the song that first introduced them to American ears. “‘She Calls Me Love’ has always been special to us,” the band notes, “and seeing it connect so strongly online was incredible. With this new mix and master, it feels even more alive – highlighting the melodies, the vocal harmonies, and that big, explosive chorus that stays in your head.”

Both tracks serve as appetizers for the main course: Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9, the band’s US debut album, arriving Friday, July 17 via Wicked Cool Records. It’ll be available digitally, on CD, and on a limited-edition orange vinyl pressing that’s already begging to be displayed cover-out on your shelf. Pre-orders and pre-saves are open now.

For the uninitiated: Banda AL9 started posting acoustic covers on social media back in 2017 before pivoting to originals, going viral on TikTok (12M+ views and counting), and breaking through to mainstream Brazilian stardom with 2023’s Amor É A Lei. Airplay on Little Steven’s Underground Garage and co-signs from The Darkness’s Justin Hawkins helped push them onto the international radar, and a Steve Aoki cover of their single “Chama de Amor” – followed by a joint performance at Tomorrowland Brazil – sealed the deal. In 2025 they played their first stadium show at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque, and collaborated with Ruby Leigh and MAGIC!’s Nasri along the way.

In short: this is a band that has spent years quietly assembling the kind of catalog most acts dream about, and Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9 feels like the moment it all clicks into place for American audiences.

Watch Banda AL9’s Live Relix Session on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Banda+AL9+Relix+Session

Pre-order/pre-save Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9 now, and queue up “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” for your next drive with the windows down. You’ll thank yourself by the second chorus.