On Tender Fits, his debut LP, out November 12 through Model Love Songs, Chicago wunderkind Dustin Currier aka Lightleak expands on his signature, sonic palette through indie soundscapes suffused with genre-agnostic pomp and circumstance.
Watch the video for the album’s latest single “B.I.D.S.I.U.” below:
In between facilitating remote music classes as a public-school teacher and working on his other projects Ands and Cut Teeth, Currier utilized time in quarantine to self-produce this remarkable collection—arranging an exuberant brass section atop a bed of wiry, interlocking guitars, dizzying keyboards, and a nimble rhythm section.
But according to Currier, “bringing other people in was paramount to making something that is three-dimensional and really worth listening to,” so he enlisted the art-punk audio ace Chad Clark (Beauty Pill, Dismemberment Plan) to mix the album; Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz, Sad13), Vivian McConnell (V.V. Lightbody), and Krystal Rosenbrock on additional vocals; Seth Engel (Options) on drums; Ben Grigg (Geronimo!) on trumpet; and Logan Bloom on trombone.
Lightleak’s triumphant debut is sure to resonate with fans of forward-thinking indie and punk-adjacent acts (e.g., Fugazi, Deerhoof) as much as connoisseurs of classic songwriting (e.g., Arthur Russell, Elvis Costello) and other genre-bending pioneers (e.g., Tortoise, Birthmark). From the album’s opening moments, the band welcomes the listener into its own little singular world via intermittent laughter-laden practice clips, stick clicks, and field recordings reminiscent of Fugazi’s Red Medicine.
While Currier’s fervent yet frank vocals provide an anchor to Tender Fits’ sonic explorations, the well-placed pair of instrumental tracks “Mmm Hmm Om” and “Scared So” showcase a rare knack for composition and arrangement that goes beyond your typical, indie-rock intermission. What is clear upon even a first listen is that every note and musical choice throughout this album was made with great care and intention.
On the release of “B.I.D.S.I.U.,” Currier states:
“B.I.D.S.I.U.” is in some ways a thesis statement for ‘Tender Fits’ as a whole in that it deals with what doesn’t work about our world—systems of oppression like policing and patriarchy—and invites the listener to destroy them and reimagine a better world to build together. Though the song is set in a sort of modern dystopia, it’s an unflagging call-to-action to the caring people of the world in the name of radical love.”
Tender Fits will be the inaugural release for Currier’s new record label, Model Love Songs. Lightleak looks forward to performing this music—both solo and as a full band—everywhere from select local shows to international tours when possible in support of the record.
Preorder Tender Fits here.
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