Phonetics On and On, Horsegirl (8/10)

Ok I'm getting to ready to go to bat for this new Horsegirl album. The Chicago trio released their sophomore album from Matador today 2/15/25, the perfect day for the sweetest little love album. I've already heard shade from a couple of you on the singles, so let me try to explain why I think it's so brilliant. "Boring" and "Childish" were some of the critiques I've heard, and I will address them. Boring: I think it takes so much courage to release a more acoustic and stripped back sophomore album after a blaring noisy debut. On the bandcamp description, it says they really wanted to lean into the openness/spareness of being a trio rather than trying to use up the entire sonic landscape w noise. And there are still lots of really cool and more noisy moments on this album. Childish - this was in reference to the 2468 lyrics, which I get, but also I applaud them for leaning into youthfulness. They are really young, still in college, and I like when young artists kinda revel in their youth rather than trying to sound older. Anyways to the album as a whole. I've now listened to it about four times, and my appreciation has grown with every listen. Sweet acoustic poppy songs with a lot of nuance to get into if you are willing to listen for subtleties. Daring and great in an indie landscape filled w rampant fuzz pedals.  Fav tracks: In Twos, Julie, Frontrunner, Where'd You Go