Lunger

Fresh off their breakout 2024 album 'Ferried Away,' Brooklyn art-rockers Stay Inside offer another enthralling collection of warped tales and heartbreaking anthems. 'Ferried Away' showcased that the band was unafraid of experimentation and exploration. The band's new album, 'Lunger,' doubles down on that, proving Stay Inside's commitment to bold production, conceptual arrangements, and even bigger hooks. On the Brooklyn genre-benders' first album for Tiny Engines, the band leans hard into their unique mix of indie and emo but never sticks to a single formula. Singer Chris Johns howls with a post-punk swagger, swaying between desperation for genuine connection and the manic confidence of a broken-hearted man with nothing to lose. Stay Inside's restless spirit pushes genre boundaries to the side as the band moves effortlessly from lively jangle pop to dark Americana twang to heavy, fuzzy grunge. Stay Inside continues to seamlessly incorporate horns into the mix, including their captivating live shows. From playful to menacing, the expansive instrumentation highlights the band's impressive evolution. Stay Inside has made quite the journey in their career from desolate post-hardcore to the wide open spaces encompassed on Lunger. The band has become masters of their craft, and Lunger is striking in it's originality and depth. But perhaps the most exciting aspect here is what will come next for the band. If the last two records are any indication, Stay Inside is indeed bound for glory.