Matador US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Despite forming as recently as 2019 and signing with Matador in merely 2021, Horsegirl are hitting their stride, clocking up some top tier collaborations and endorsements from esteemed elders of the indie rock community. To record this album, which is the follow-up to their 2022 debut, they headed to Wilco's studio in Chicago and had none other than Welsh musician Cate Le Bon produce it. The result has been less Breeders-esque grunge saturation and an embracing of bright, clear sonic territories which brings them closer towards The Clean-esque jangle pop sound - it massively suits them. And they've added violin and synths to their guitar-y core which gives them a new dimension and more compelling arrangements than ever before.

Review: Probably the coolest band in Chicago right now, Horsegirl have made an album of quietly tempered indie-pop gems up there with the likes of the Vaselines, The Pastels and The Moldy Peaches. They had the fortune of having Cate Le Bon produce the album and the sound of Le Bon's jangly and melodic debut album certainly rubs off on it, too. '2468' blends orthodoxy with a trance-inducing wig-out. Elsewhere, the single 'Switch Over' features a gently propulsive beat played on a stylishly stripped-back drum kit and the interplay between melodies is as playful as it is mesmerising. They make it all sound so easy, but it's harder to play laid back and blase than it is to go full throttle. Hats off to them for nailing this.

Review: If there's anything Yo La Tengo have in spades, it's a superb music taste. This collection of outtakes and demos guides you through the inspired moments of creativity that they share. 'Cast A Shadow' covers K Records head honcho's group Beat Happening brilliantly. 'Speeding Motorcycle' goes one further - it has the actual Daniel Johnston featuring on it as well as being a cover. The latter came from his fifth self-released cassette tape, Yip/Jump Music. There's also a Ramones, Wire and John Cale cover. We think you get our point - astounding references. Of their own material, 'Sunsquashed' - a 26-minute jam that emphasizes their experimental and improvisational nature is a must. Free from the shackles of producing an album in the traditional sense, what you end up with is a fantastic and imaginative collection, which hammers home just how brilliant Yo La Tengo are for indie rock.