Dolly Ave Channels ‘Death Note’ in Explosive New Alt-Rock Anthem “Better Side”

The Vietnamese-American artist confronts good, evil, justice, and the power of compassion in a deeply personal new single arriving August 8, ahead of an East Coast tour and September music video premiere.

Genre-blending alt-rock artist Dolly Ave is stepping into the battle between light and darkness with “Better Side,” an emotionally charged new single inspired by the iconic Japanese anime series Death Note. The track arrives on all major streaming platforms August 8, followed by an official music video premiering on Spotify and YouTube in September.

Produced by Kevin Hissink, whose credits include grandson and Travis Barker, “Better Side” combines explosive alt-rock production with raw, reflective storytelling. Fueled by anthemic instrumentation and lyrics rooted in today’s increasingly divided world, the song explores justice, morality, empathy, and the difficult choices people make when trying to stand on the right side of history.

Rather than delivering easy answers, Dolly Ave leans directly into the uncertainty many young people are experiencing. The song wrestles with the fear that compassion is disappearing from public life, while asking listeners to consider who they want to be remembered as during a turbulent moment in history.

“It was important for me to use music to address concerns that many of my peers feel regarding the state of the world,” Dolly Ave said. “We’re witnessing less compassion for each other, and I wanted to write about where you want to say you were at this point in history. During this timeframe, I watched Death Note, where the themes of good versus evil and justice were apparent, which inspired me to pen the song the following day.”

That connection between anime storytelling and real-world emotion gives “Better Side” its bite. Death Note has long challenged audiences with questions about power, justice, corruption, and the dangerous belief that one person has the right to decide who deserves punishment. Dolly Ave takes those themes and brings them into the present, transforming them into a rallying cry for empathy in a world that often rewards outrage over understanding.

Dolly Ave’s relationship with anime and Japanese culture goes far beyond a single song. She previously toured internationally as a member of MIYAVI’s band, performing at major venues and anime conventions around the world. She also co-wrote “Dumb” with MIYAVI for his Strike It Out EP, whose title track became the theme song for Bandai Namco’s Tribe Nine anime.

Her presence within the Japanese entertainment and anime communities has continued to grow. Dolly Ave has appeared in the pages of Japan’s Fusion Magazine and performed during the opening festivities for the NBA Japan Games in Tokyo, where the Golden State Warriors faced the Washington Wizards.

Most recently, she performed at Anime Expo 2026, further cementing her position at the crossroads of alternative rock, pop culture, and global anime fandom. With “Better Side,” she is not simply referencing anime for flavor. She is using its themes as a creative foundation to examine the moral conflicts shaping the world around her.

Following the single’s release, Dolly Ave will bring her genre-bending live show to four East Coast cities this August. The tour kicks off in Cambridge before making stops in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

August 13: The Lilypad, Cambridge, MA
August 14: Berlin Under A, New York City, NY
August 15: Philly Pizza, Philadelphia, PA
August 16: DC9, Washington, D.C.

Tickets and additional information are available through Dolly Ave’s official Linktree.

“Better Side” arrives August 8 on all major streaming platforms. The official music video will premiere on Spotify and YouTube in September.

About Dolly Ave

Dolly Ave is an emerging Vietnamese-American artist carving out her own lane as one of the few Asian women making serious noise in rock music. Her upcoming sophomore album represents a bold statement of resilience, independence, and creative vision, built through years of hard work and relentless hustle.

That determination has attracted an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Kevin Hissink, whose credits include grandson, Demi Lovato, and Travis Barker; Mason Sacks, known for his work with Shaboozey; Sweater Beats, who has worked with Lizzo; and Amy Kuney, whose credits include Chappell Roan.

Dolly Ave’s debut album received airplay from major and influential stations including Chicago’s 103.5 KISS FM, Seattle’s KEXP, and Los Angeles’ ALT 98.7. She has performed at major music festivals and earned coverage from Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Harper’s Bazaar.

In 2024, Dolly Ave was selected for the Recording Academy’s prestigious NEXT Class. She is also a member of the Converse All Star Class of 2025. Her music has appeared across editorial playlists on Spotify, YouTube, Vevo, and Amazon Music, while her most recent independently produced showcase received support from Coca-Cola and Live Nation.

With “Better Side,” Dolly Ave is bringing anime inspiration, alt-rock fire, and a necessary message of compassion together at exactly the right moment. In a culture constantly trying to force people onto opposing sides, she is asking a far more important question: What kind of person will you choose to be?