Chicago's Sharp Pins share their purpose for invigorating youth culture in “I Can’t Stop,” a quintessential anthem from their latest album ‘Radio DDR,’ filled with fuzz, mod flair, and optimism.
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Stream: “I Can’t Stop” – Sharp Pins
Leading the "youth revolution" in Chicago, 20-year-old Kai Slater is primarily recognized for his Matador-signed band Lifeguard, yet his solo project Sharp Pins truly showcases his talents. You might remember his debut Turtle Rock, featuring a notable cover of a turtle made from carrots and caviar, a lo-fi bedroom masterpiece compared to The Kinks, Guided by Voices, and The Clientele. Even if you haven't listened to it yet, Radio DDR confirms that Slater has many more catchy tunes to offer.
Radio DDR – Sharp Pins
I ran at the wrong moment
Something lost in your evolving styles
And you claim it’s not me
But there’s never a right time
Discussing it with a good friend of mine
And I squeeze everything I can
And I think of you, I regret it
And I think of you, I regret it
And I think of you and regret it
I don’t wanna get older no more
Originally recorded on his rooftop with bandmates and exclusively released on cassette via his Hallogallo label, Radio DDR was later launched as an LP through Perennial Records and the legendary K Records this spring. His labelmates include Bay Area’s shimmering Now and Baltimore’s cherished The Smashing Times. Radio DDR is pure pop enjoyment, blending jangly guitars with clever and memorable lyrics, appealing to fans of C86 bands and the British invasion.
Sharp Pins © 2025
“I Can’t Stop” serves as the album's anthem, starting with an upbeat guitar riff that is deceptively simple yet mesmerizing, drawing you into his vibrant sound layers. You’ll feel an instant urge to dance. The music video, charming and homemade, begins with an empty street shot, pulling you into his colorful universe. It features playful cut-out dolls, apple slices, and various shapes while Slater strums his guitar against a polka dot backdrop he whimsically assembled. He sports his signature mod haircut and a collared shirt peeking out from a sweater, inviting you to romp through his teenage bedroom alongside him and his eclectic closet.
Sally was a sick child
Never put faith in a strong man
So she leaves, causing all the boys to mourn
And I don’t intend to placate
I’ve never been one to lie
So you see how I breathe
Because I think of you, I can endure it
When I think of you, I can endure it
When I think of you, don’t forget it
I don’t wanna get older no more, no
Though he appears disinterested in the video, it’s a teenage demeanor. Slater is among the most vibrant musicians currently and is deeply embedded in DIY culture. He graciously produced Finn Wolfhard’s debut album Happy Birthday using an 8-track tape, recording intimately between his apartment, rehearsal space, and Palisades Studio. Sounds from Slater’s apartment, like a whistling kettle and footsteps, can be heard on the record, and Finn even expressed gratitude to Slater for allowing him to stay after he developed pneumonia.
Slater is familiar with fostering a community. His zine Hallogallo, notable for its adorable sheep doodle logo, emerged from a sense of disconnect during the pandemic. It connects youth-led Chicago bands such as Horsegirl and Friko with well-known artists like Mac Demarco and Laetitia Sadier from Stereolab. The zine also publishes “Radical Commie-Pop-Discourzse.” Slater values a physical presence whenever possible through primarily all-ages shows and his annual Hallogallo festival.
Recently, he performed in his hometown at the First Church of Chicago alongside Now, The Smashing Times, and a local friend, TV Buddha, promoting “post-beat, post-mod youth revolution pop musik” with complimentary pasta salad. His touring band features Joe Glass on bass and Peter Cimbalo on drums.
I can’t stop
Never really stopped it
I can’t stop
If you think I lost it
I can’t stop
Don’t you close the door
Sharp Pins © 2025
Slater’s vocals in “I Can’t Stop” cut through the fuzz: “And I think of you and regret it / I don’t wanna get older no more.” He can’t halt the aging process or the bittersweet experiences that come with it, but he can guide us through it. The song is fuzzy and inviting, reminiscent of a good friend you haven’t seen for a while, like a secret shared before part
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Chicago's Sharp Pins share their motivation for rocking out in "I Can’t Stop," a timeless youth anthem from their latest album 'Radio DDR,' which is filled with fuzz, mod aesthetics, and optimism.