Album Review
4 Stars
A delightful second release where the band embraces fresh sonic identities.
Reviewer: Millie Tempo
Released: 14th February 2025
Label: Matador
As we age, it's only natural that our tastes, cultural influences, and environments shift, leading to an evolution in how we perceive art and friendship. In 2022, with their debut ‘Versions Of Modern Performance’, Horsegirl emerged as vivacious, high school art rockers; now, the Chicago trio—Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece—offers a charming, slacker-inspired indie pop album that reflects their growth as life companions. The first track, ‘Where’d You Go’, features rolling drums and bright tones, signaling that Horsegirl is moving beyond their Sonic Youth phase. The production by Cate Le Bon skillfully guides the band's exploration of strings and gamelan instruments, creating a whimsical soundscape, particularly evident in tracks like ‘Well I Know You’re Shy’ and the closer ‘I Can’t Stand To See You’, which concludes with the line “And it’s oh so plain to see / How often I think sentimentally.” The album strikes a balance between lively tracks and slower, catchy melodies, layering murmured vocals and gentle harmonies over soft acoustic guitar riffs, with warm bass notes creating a traditional folk vibe in songs such as ‘Julie’, ‘Frontrunner’, and ‘Information Content’. While Horsegirl may not be breaking new musical ground, they certainly embrace new sonic identities in this joyous second offering.
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A delightful second performance in which the band unmistakably embraces new sonic identities.