Horsegirl bring a minimalist, childlike charm to their sophomore album ‘Phonetics On and On,’ cementing themselves in the indie rock canon.

‘Phonetics On and On’ – Horsegirl

Forget what you know about Horsegirl.

Gone is the fuzzy indie rock that the group built their sound on; released on February 14^th through Matador Records, Phonetics On and On showcases the trio at their most pared-back yet. They opted for fewer sonic layers and a meditative, raw direction through the influence of new collaborators and huge life experiences. The result is an intimate and introspective collection of music that offers a lo-fi departure from their louder, indie rock roots.

Phonetics On and On - Horsegirl — Phonetics On and On – Horsegirl

“Where’d You Go?” kicks the record off, asking the question the listeners have been wondering themselves. They sing back and forth over a bright, almost jangly guitar: “Where’d you go? Far, far, far away.” Horsegirl made their home in Chicago when they debuted, but they were just kids. When it came time to go to college, two members decided to move across the country to New York City to further their education. This had the potential to shift everything for the group, but they always knew that this record had to be recorded in Chicago.

It’s here that lies the major strength of Phonetics On and On. Bandmates Penelope Lowenstein, Gigi Reece, and Nora Cheng are able to examine their maturation through the environment of their adolescence, through the double dutch-like sounds of “2468” and schematic melody on “Julie.” The album is arguing that the complexities of life can be boiled down to quite simplistic terms. On the aforementioned “Julie,” despite the assumed complexities of the situation being written about, the lyrics hold short yet striking lines like “I wish I could tell you what you want” and leave it at that.

Young man sickened by the sight
of twenty years that passed him by
Now the engine’s running dry

– “Sport Meets Sound,” Horsegirl

Phonetics On and On is a masterclass in minimalism.

This time, Horsegirl worked with Cate Le Bon, a Welsh musician who has collaborated with artists such as Deerhunter, Kurt Vile, and Wilco, on production. When taking a minimalistic approach to music, every piece of the song must be in its right place. Perfection is never expected, but intentionality is. There is a moment on “In Twos,” where the strings on the record become rather dissonant against the layered vocals when they sing, “And I try, and I try, and I try.” This is especially memorable on such an understated song, raising the emotional stakes of the entire track.

The minimalism of this record doesn’t stop with the instrumentation; even more stripped back are the lyrics. Horsegirl opted for very few lyrics on this album comparatively, instead filling their songs with various da-da-das and la-la-las. The densest song is “Information Content,” and even then, it’s filled with echoing ahoos. Horsegirl has created the challenge of playing with melody through simplistic sounds, forcing every small noise they make to be memorable in its own right. Fortunately, it pays off. They haven’t lost their whimsy (even song titles like “Rock City” are inside jokes), but they’ve gained a sense of perspective that is evident in their lyrics.

To have the same dream three times a week
Favors too big for you to keep
I have so many mistakes to make
Mistakes to make with you

– “Julie,” Horsegirl

The strongest section of the record is the four-song run which includes “Julie,” “Switch Over,” “Information Content,” and “Frontrunner.” There’s a reason three of these tracks turned out to be singles: Here, the listener can get a glimpse of everything great the record has to offer, wrapped up in a bow.

“Julie” and “Frontrunner” show a glimpse of mundane moments with the person you love that weaves through an acoustic guitar track that echoes singer-songwriters of the ’70s.

“Information Content” features a soaring melody atop a minimalist instrumental, even the lyrics being percussion (the knock knocks are a particular standout).

“Switch Over” is a transition, straddling the line between their older and newer sounds with its playful and uptempo riffs.

**Mellow and unpolished, Phonetics On and On marks a significant step forward for Horsegirl, proving they have the chops to keep up with the indie greats.**

By returning home, the trio has effectively stripped away the fat and kept the emotional and witty core of the band. While it’s an overused term, their ability to showcase their maturation through unveiling their “inner child” makes this record tender beyond compare, even when it’s at its most fun.

Horsegirl are showing the world who they really are, and in return, their audience feels understood right back.

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