In just a few years, Horsegirl has gone from covering Sonic Youth to recording with members of the iconic noise-rock band, all while still in their teens. The Chicago-based trio formed in 2019 and made an immediate impact with their 2022 debut album, Versions of Modern Performance, released by Matador Records.
Versions was heavily inspired by 1990s indie rock, featuring the unique vocal interplay between Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein, backed by Gigi Reece’s powerful drumming and fuzzy guitar riffs. The album’s raw sound reflected the band’s DIY roots and quickly established them in the indie scene.
However, Horsegirl’s latest project, Phonetics On and On, marks a significant shift in their sound. The band moves away from the louder, more intense style of their debut, opting instead for a minimalist approach. The album channels influences from classic acts like The Velvet Underground and The Raincoats, embracing a more subtle and restrained sonic landscape.
The evolution of Phonetics also mirrors the band’s personal journey. After high school, Horsegirl relocated to New York, where two members are set to graduate from New York University this spring. They also moved their writing sessions from Lowenstein’s basement to a Brooklyn warehouse space, a change that reflects both their growth as musicians and as individuals.
Cheng, who plays guitar and sings, discussed the band’s new direction during a Zoom call from a Brooklyn cafe. “There’s something about the super-loud, dirty guitar that really fulfills this teenage angst type of thing, and I’m getting more interested in doing more with less,” she said. “Like, can this song stand on its own?”
Phonetics certainly proves that it can. Tracks like the swirling “2468” and the dreamy, late-night “Frontrunner” show a new depth to the band’s sound. Unlike their debut, which sought to capture the energy of their live performances, this album leans into the more intimate and experimental side of Horsegirl’s music.
A key factor in this shift was their collaboration with producer Cate Le Bon, a respected Welsh indie-pop musician who Cheng describes as a “comforting external presence.” “We knew that if we’re going to work with somebody who we really respect, we want to be able to reconstruct the songs in all these weird ways, or turn them into something new,” Cheng explained. “She was able to hear the things we were experimenting with and then say, ‘I do think there’s something here, let’s work on this.’”
The band’s new minimalist approach inspired fresh experimentation, introducing new instruments like the synthesizer and violin. Cheng, despite no formal training, played the violin on three tracks, showcasing the band’s willingness to learn and grow as musicians.
Horsegirl’s journey also includes adapting to new challenges, from touring with the Breeders to preparing for graduation. The bandmates are even planning to move in together, a decision that has raised some concerns among others. However, Cheng remains confident in their bond.
“We’ve moved from a friend dynamic to a family dynamic,” she said. “Obviously, we annoy each other, but I guess it’s the way that siblings might.”
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