Philly indie rock group Mo Lowda & the Humble guides us through each track of their dynamic and cathartic fifth album, 'Tailing the Ghost' – a colorful, emotionally resonant record inspired by their travels, crafted to inspire movement, contemplation, and connection.
Listen: “Canary” – Mo Lowda & the Humble
A simple yet profound observation from Mo Lowda & the Humble’s lead vocalist Jordan Caiola captures the essence of 'Tailing the Ghost', the band’s fifth and most compelling album to date.
Composed and recorded entirely while on the road—from cabins in Tennessee to the scenic views of Lake Travis and the sunlit landscapes of Joshua Tree—the album features the Philadelphia-based band tapping into a raw, unrefined, and subtly transcendent essence. It’s a project characterized by movement and memories: intimate in its creation, cinematic in its ambiance.
“This is the first album where we all collaborated in the same room,” Caiola explains. “These four parts needed to interconnect, allowing us to build from there.” This approach—prioritizing emotion and letting complexity unfold through simplicity—defines the album's sonic appeal. From the airy shimmer of “Canary” to the driving momentum of “Northside Violet,” and the brilliant jam that concludes the album, 'Tailing the Ghost' is filled with tracks that groove effortlessly, immersing you in the mood before gradually fading away.
'Tailing the Ghost' by Mo Lowda & the Humble
Launched on June 20, 2025, 'Tailing the Ghost' follows Mo Lowda & the Humble’s acclaimed self-titled album, marking the full-length debut of the band’s current four-member lineup: Jordan Caiola (lead vocals, guitar), Jeff Lucci (bass, guitar, baritone guitar, keyboards, vocals), Shane Woods (drums, percussion, vocals), and Kirby Sybert (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals). Emerging from Philadelphia’s house show scene over a decade ago, the band is known for their fierce autonomy and rigorous touring schedule—playing over 90 shows per year while continually broadening their musical range and national audience. They also enjoy a longstanding relationship with Atwood Magazine, which has highlighted their music as “smoldering and emotive, gentle and driving… a refreshing breath of indie rock that comforts the senses and warms the heart.” With each release, they’ve honed their hybrid of gritty rock and textured, atmospheric indie—yet 'Tailing the Ghost' is distinguished by its unity, clarity, and the energy of a live band.
At its essence, 'Tailing the Ghost' delves into the pursuit of the intangible—the ephemeral, mysterious forces that influence our lives. “To tail something suggests you’re close but not quite there,” Caiola reflects. “The ghost symbolizes anything intangible in our lives—loss, or that next chapter—always just out of reach.” This quest—for meaning, tranquility, and purpose—resonates throughout the album’s most reflective tracks. “The ghost is the ultimate goal,” he continues. "You may never reach it, but the journey of pursuing it is filled with many moments." Bassist Jeff Lucci adds, “You can’t truly capture it; it’s a ghost. By the time you think you have it, it's already gone. That’s life right there.”
Mo Lowda & the Humble © Luda Ronky
Above all, 'Tailing the Ghost' pulses with life.
The songs unfold like snapshots from a vivid reverie: Emerging and receding, grounded by tactile instrumentation and elevated by the deep chemistry that only a decade of friendship and countless performances can forge. "There was less time between writing and recording,” drummer Shane Woods notes. “We’d draft something and hit the studio a week later. You can hear that energy—we were incredibly excited."
This immediacy is evident throughout the album's standout moments. The lead single “Canary” combines baritone guitar with a hypnotic groove, which the band identifies as a quintessential Mo Lowda track. "If we want to showcase what we’re doing right now,” Caiola says, “this is the perfect example.” Meanwhile, “7.31” unfurls with a nostalgic fervor and a robust nod to early-2000s guitar vibes. “It takes me back to some of my favorite stuff from 2007 to 2014,” Lucci reminisces. “Tom Petty would approve of this."
The lyrics encapsulate that wistful clarity:
We were waiting on the sunrise
The last of July
Another season to get somewhere
Digging through a goldmine
And everything changes
When you give it due time
It only means that we’re getting somewhere
Living through the whole nine
Still, I know time won’t wait for me
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Philly indie rock group Mo Lowda & the Humble guide us through their dynamic, cathartic, and sun-drenched fifth album, 'Tailing the Ghost,' track by track. This lively and emotionally rich record was created during their travels and designed to inspire movement, reflection, and connection.