TWO INCH ASTRONAUT are thrilled to present Can You Please Not Help, the band’s latest album in full via Hype Machine magazine and below, a week ahead of its release. Due out on June 2nd via Exploding In Sound Records, the Maryland natives once again enlisted the legendary J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines) to produce, creating a record of songs described by the band as “sometimes tricky, sometimes poppy, with a range in mood from playful to suffocatingly, uncomfortably serious.” Can You Please Not Help is the best representation of TWO INCH ASTRONAUT yet as the trio shift between sugary sweet pop hooks and tangled punk in a moments notice.
Hype Machine stated:
“Just a year since the release of their last record, Two Inch Astronaut return with their fourth effort. Can You Please Not Help finds the suburban D.C. post-punk trio again working with J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines), perfecting their signature blend of power pop hooks, sudden mood swings, and knotty chord progressions. Amidst the sugary and sometimes chaotic sonics, singer/guitarist Sam Rosenberg delivers pointed lyrics about expectations and frustrations.”
Photo by Julia Leiby
“Can You Please Not Help continues the pop-focused mind-meld of previous efforts with monster hooks and a musicianship that only comes with a boatload of experience” – NPR Music
“surprisingly power-poppy number complete with backing vocal ahhhhs, and like everything this band does, it’s very good.” – Stereogum
““Play To No One” sees the band move from the D.C. post-punk of Rites Of Spring to something more like the D.C. pop-punk of Ted Leo. This poppiness has always hidden beneath the surface of the band’s work, even as far back to 2014’s Foulbrood, but it’s bringing it to the forefront.” – AV Club
“Judging by the previous singles Two Inch Astronaut has shared so far, “Can You Please Not Help” will slot nicely into their follow-up to 2016’s Personal Life. Initially, the song might seem like it has more in common with the muscular lead single “Snitch Jacket” than the infectious power pop of “Play To No One”. Upon closer listening, though, there’s a sweetness to Rosenberg’s vocals found within the swirling guitar riffs driving the track.” – Consequence of Sound
TWO INCH ASTRONAUT tour dates:
05/29 – Washington, DC @ Slash Run w/ Bad History Month & Dust From 1000 Yrs *
06/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA w/ Leapling
06/03 – Washington, DC @ Dew Drop Inn (Seventh Stanine Festiva) *
06/10 – Brooklyn, NY @ Sunnyvale (Northside Festival)
06/18 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat w/ Bad Moves & Maneka (Album Release Show)
06/19 – Baltimore, MD
07/07 – Connecticut
07/08 – Boston, MA
07/09 – New Jersey* Slip Disco set
More about the band:
Two Inch Astronaut has been playing in one configuration or another since 2009, though founding members Matt Gatwood and Sam Rosenberg’s musical relationship dates back to the early 2000’s. Beginning as an acoustic and cello driven side project, they quickly evolved into making rock music as a trio. After three well received full lengths released on Exploding in Sound Records (with praise from Pitchfork, NPR, Stereogum and more), the Wheaton, MD based trio (including Andy Chervenak of Grass is Green) return with Can You Please Not Help, the band’s fourth album since 2013. The prolific trio have created their most nuanced and vibrant recordings yet; leaning on their pop strength while remaining true to their propensity for tangled chord progressions and unpredictable rhythms.
The album was once again recorded by one of the band’s influences, J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels), at the Magpie Cage in Baltimore, Maryland. Two Inch Astronaut just keep getting better and Can You Please Not Help is built around pop-centric exploration and reflective songwriting.
