New York-based Chicago trio Horsegirl today releases the laconic and über cool single ‘Switch Over’ ahead of their second album ‘Phonetics On and On’ which is out next month. It’s been two years since the release of the band’s stunning debut ‘Versions of Modern Performance’ back in 2022 – of which I said in my review was:
…one of the most exciting releases over the past few decades. It is really that good: a celebration of the values of stripped down visceral and exciting rock’n’roll with swagger and attitude and a rich vein of humour running deep inside. It is a vital refresh of the kind of sneering louche indie rock music that is exciting and euphoric: a shot of adrenaline to jolt a fading heartbeat.
The band, the trio of best friends Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece, relocated to New York where two members would attend NYU, and the new material is the first time they have written music outside of one of their parents’ basement, and under the production skills of Cate Le Bon.
There is a certain augmentation in production skills detectable in the new sound, and yet the trio remain bedded in the fresh authenticity found in their debut: a laconic, louche almost distant style that mixes indie pop melodies with an almost childlike glee and irreverent deadpan sense of humour.
‘Switch Over’ perfectly encapsulates this heady level of creativity and freshness with a sound that echoes The Velvet Underground with the Dunedin sound of The Chills – a bass heavy drive with delicate distant vocals and melodies, an Arctic chill running throughout. The combination of a Bass VI and normal six strings over the pounding drums add to the thunderous sound.
The ‘Switch Over’ video was directed by Guy Kozak, who came to the band with the idea of switching on/off and doubling concepts. Uncanny in its concept, the video explores the idea of “band-watching-band,” with layered shots of the trio watching themselves perform in the same room.
The single is out now through Matador Records and Remote Control Records and available to download and stream here.
‘Phonetics On And On’ is out February 14th via Matador Records.
It was recorded over two weeks in January 2024 in the band’s native Chicago’s The Loft studio at the peak of winter. With the heating off to avoid sound interference, the band were bundled in multiple sweaters and sitting on their hands between takes and found the kind of focus and intimacy that can only arise from it being too cold to go outside.
They followed Le Bon into brighter, clearer sonic territories that highlight the intuitive and off-kilter nature of the songs: instead of filling them out with distortion, the trio utilising the expanse, playing with space and texture within pop song structures and and leaning further into the process of recording – adding and subtracting, flash-moments of instability, and embracing the unexpected result.
They incorporate new tools to bring this world to life: violins, synths, gamelan tiles. The band remain part of the adventurous Hallogallo Chicago youth music scene, which includes bands like Lifeguard, TV Buddha, and Twin Coast.
‘Phonetic On And On’ is available to preorder here and through the link below.
‘Phonetics On And On’ was recorded over two weeks in January 2024 in the band’s native Chicago’s The Loft studio at the peak of winter. With the heating off to avoid sound interference, the band were bundled in multiple sweaters and sitting on their hands between takes and found the kind of focus and intimacy that can only arise from it being too cold to go outside.
They followed Le Bon into brighter, clearer sonic territories that highlight the intuitive and off-kilter nature of the songs: instead of filling them out with distortion, the trio utilising the expanse, playing with space and texture within pop song structures and and leaning further into the process of recording – adding and subtracting, flash-moments of instability, and embracing the unexpected result.
They incorporate new tools to bring this world to life: violins, synths, gamelan tiles. The band remain part of the adventurous Hallogallo Chicago youth music scene, which includes bands like Lifeguard, TV Buddha, and Twin Coast.
You can catch the band live throughout the US and Europe – Details and tickets here..
Sat. Feb. 22 – Chicago, IL @ Metro (Record Release Show) ^
Fri. Mar. 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church %
Sat. Mar. 22 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat %
Sun. Mar. 23 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings %
Mon. Mar. 24 – Richmond, VA @ The Warehouse %
Wed. Mar. 26 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom %
Thu. Mar. 27 – Somerville, MA @ Arts at The Armory %
Fri. Mar. 28 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater %
Sat. Mar. 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw %
Sat. June 7 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
Tue. June 10 – Hamburg, DE @ Molotow Club
Wed. June 11 – Berlin, DE @ Badehaus Szimpla
Sat. June 14 – Porto, PT @ Primavera Sound Porto
Mon. June 16 – Cologne, DE @ Bumann & Sohn
Tue. June 17 – Antwerp, BE @ Trix
Wed. June 18 – Paris, FR @ Petit Bain
Fri. June 20 – London, UK @ Scala
Sat. June 21 – Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall
Sun. June 22 – Glasgow, UK @ Mono
Tue. June 24 – Dublin, IE @ The Workman’s Club
Thu. June 26 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
^ w/ Lifeguard & Answering Machines
% w/ Free Range
Feature Photograph: Ruby Faye
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