Feature: TOLEDO Discovers Movement in Stillness on Their Enchanting ‘Inertia’ EP - Atwood Magazine

      TOLEDO guides us through their EP ‘Inertia,’ a sun-drenched and emotionally resonant collection that encapsulates the pain of maturation, the distance of separation, and the beauty of the moments in between. Steeped in “home grown nostalgia,” the six tracks from this Brooklyn duo radiate with the gentle excitement of reconnection, illustrating that sometimes returning to one's origins offers the clearest path forward.

      Listen to: “Zelda” – TOLEDO

      TOLEDO has consistently created music that evokes memories – tender and inviting, familiar and comforting. With ‘Inertia,’ the Brooklyn duo delves deeper into their distinctive folk-infused indie rock style, crafting a sunlit and summery dream woven with themes of friendship, fluidity, and emotion. The EP’s six pieces showcase TOLEDO at their best – wistful yet lively, captivating and intense – resulting in what may be their most exceptional work to date. A genuine testament to their roots, ‘Inertia’ reflects a band embracing their past while uncovering new insights along the way.

      ‘Inertia’ – TOLEDO

      i revealed my rage

      when you departed

      it’s only been a week

      and you’re moving to someone superior

      now my pals

      are referring to me as an old friend

      and every unfamiliar street

      feels like a cul-de-sac

      but it comforts me to think

      perhaps you’re hearing me now

      – “Zelda,” TOLEDO

      Released independently on May 9th, 2025, ‘Inertia’ follows just over a year after TOLEDO’s experimental ‘Popped Heart’ EP and two years after their remarkable debut album, ‘How It Ends.’ While ‘Popped Heart’ experimented with synths and drum machines and ‘How It Ends’ dealt with childhood trauma, this latest EP comes across as liberated and light – chiefly composed on a whim during a cabin retreat, and rooted in the simple, organic joy of collaboration.

      “This project embodies the ease that accompanies returning to one’s roots,” TOLEDO – made up of childhood friends Dan Álvarez de Toledo and Jordan Dunn-Pilz – share with Atwood Magazine. “It feels like coming home.”

      “In classic TOLEDO style, we rented a cabin upstate aiming to record some pre-existing tracks,” the duo recounts. “We adhered to our plans and recorded ‘Zelda’ as intended. Yet, inspiration struck, as it commonly does, leading to the spontaneous creation of the remaining songs. After working on ‘Popped Heart,’ we were eager to return to our foundational sound centered around guitar. ‘Popped Heart’ was always meant to be the synth and drum machine EP, while ‘How It Ends’ focused on childhood trauma. To be honest, we didn’t have a clear vision for this recording... It was liberating to concentrate solely on the songs present at the moment.”

      Despite its title, ‘Inertia’ is anything but inactive. TOLEDO may have revisited the folk guitar-based style with which they began, but this EP signifies not a regression, but a dual journey inward and onward. “Creating ‘Inertia’ clarified the aspects we cherish about TOLEDO and the visions we hold for our near future,” the duo reflects. “We aspire to explore a more expansive sound, unconventional instrumentation, and bolder song structures. The ideas we sparked in ‘Inertia’ will undoubtedly blossom into our next album.” Though the tranquil cabin setting suggested stillness, what emerged was dynamism, energy, and a distinctive clarity of creativity.

      TOLEDO affectionately describes this album in three words: Home Grown Nostalgia. This aptly captures a collection that openly shares its heart – filled with personal reflections, layered sounds, and melodies that shine like golden hour rays. ‘Inertia’ represents the pinnacle of dreamy songwriting, serving as a beautiful transition to what lies ahead.

      lean into a joke I’ve recounted countless times

      stumble over my own eagerness

      flubbing the punchline

      and now we’re left in silence

      the curtains drawn behind us

      but you smile

      and reach across the aisle

      I can’t help it

      I perk up my ears to laugh

      when I feel like a catch

      be honest now

      can’t you see I’m trying my best?

      is there cause & effect?

      This six-track, 23-minute odyssey offers a rich array of discoveries – from textural embellishments and melodic shifts to lingering lyrical gut-punches that resonate long after the music subsides.

      ‘Inertia’ may be concise, but it is brimming with substance and complexity, encouraging repeated listens and attentive engagement. Notable moments emerge throughout the journey, from the lush sounds of opener “Cause & Effect” to the mesmerizing, cinematic beauty of the final track “Amends.”

      “Cause & Effect” establishes the mood with its urgency and charm – a love song birthed