13 months after their recent double single release, noise rock infused post hardcore rockers Strangelight emerges once again, weaving their sonic stories into the fabric of our cultural dialogue. Their upcoming release, Material Conditions, sets a new benchmark in their journey. With an ambitious blend of intensity and nuance, Strangelight not only revisits the essence of their sound but expands it with unprecedented dynamic fluctuations.
Their new track we’re premiering today, “Special Treatment“, serves as a microcosm of the entire album, encapsulating its thematic and musical shifts in a single, potent piece.
“Special Treatment” was one of the first compositions that took shape for the album. Unlike typical sessions, where an electric Les Paul dominates, this piece was conceived with an acoustic approach on a couch, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the band.
This method underscores a fundamental shift in Strangelight’s creative process—acknowledging each instrument’s role in serving the song rather than overshadowing it. This ethos is especially evident in the track’s push-and-pull choruses, showcasing a method where not everything is led by an amplified guitar on full blast, creating a richer, more layered auditory experience.
Lyrically, “Special Treatment” departs from the everyday ennui explored in their previous album Adult Themes.
Instead, it delves into the visceral frustrations of contemporary life—imagined as a never-ending post-credits scene in a world devoid of historical progress.
Inspired during a lockdown in 2020, vocalist Nat Coghlan found absurdity in the trivialities that captivate public attention, like the Trumpy Bear—a teddy bear styled after the former president. This item, in Coghlan’s view, symbolized the ludicrous nature of modern consumerist distractions that replace genuine societal needs such as healthcare, education, or financial stability with superficial cultural tokens.
Material Conditions is poised to challenge listeners with its incisive content and expanded musicality. The album, heralded by Strangelight’s aggressive promotional tours and a meticulous songwriting process, features tracks that range from the explosive “Dead Men, Pt. 1 and 2” to the introspective “No Encore”. The band’s dedication to crafting a cohesive album narrative is evident as they penned tracks in sequential order, ensuring a fluid thematic continuity.
Recorded with longtime collaborator Scott Evans and mastered by Jack Shirley at the Atomic Garden, the album features ten tracks clocking in at under 25 minutes.
As they prepare for their album release on October 25, 2024, Strangelight are offering an interesting manifesto on navigating the absurdities of modern life through the cathartic power of gritty, yet melodic fusion of dirty rock and punk rock.
