Horsegirl, the Chicago-based indie rock trio, has released their second album, “Phonetics On and On.” The album captures the band’s growth and evolution since their debut, as they explore new sonic territories and embrace a more minimalist approach. The band members, Penelope Lowenstein, Nora Cheng, and Gigi Reece, are no longer high school students. Lowenstein and Cheng have moved to New York for college, while Reece remains in Chicago.
Despite the distance, the band has crafted an album that reflects their experiences and the changes they’ve undergone. “Phonetics On and On” features songs with cryptic lyrics and peculiar characters, sung in the band’s signature minimalist delivery. The album also showcases Horsegirl’s newfound appreciation for classic songwriters, with tracks like “Frontrunner” and “Switch Over” drawing from the softer, twee sound of Flying Nun.
The album was recorded in Chicago at The Loft, under the guidance of Welsh musician Cate Le Bon, who produced the record.
Horsegirl’s minimalist album journey
Le Bon encouraged the band to slow down, step back, and embrace unconventional sounds and natural silence.
Penelope Lowenstein recalls a pivotal moment during the recording sessions when the engineer accidentally turned down her guitar part completely. The result was a haunting, minimal version of the song that inspired the band to explore minimalism further. “When we were in high school, the most exciting thing was like, ‘How much noise can we make?’ But then we realized the most natural thing for a trio setup is stripping it back,” Lowenstein said.
The band’s growth and dedication were evident during their sold-out headlining show at the Metro in Chicago. The performance featured tracks from the new album, showcasing Horsegirl’s confidence and ability to engage the audience. “Phonetics On and On” marks a significant step in Horsegirl’s journey as a band, as they continue to evolve and refine their sound while staying true to their roots.