About the Artist
Known for their enigmatic indie-pop meets growling guitar grunge, Philadelphia's Hop Along return with their sophomore full-length album Painted Shut. Following the release of the band's debut Get Disowned LP, Frances Quinlan has emerged as one of music's most unique songwriters. Recorded and mixed by John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth) in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, Frances is joined by Mark Quinlan (drums), Tyler Long (bass) and Joe Reinhart (guitar) on Painted Shut.Painted Shut is a record of lush compositions, fuzzed-out guitar riffs and captivating vignettes that tell vivid stories of desperation and weary awakening. It pays homage to post-punk luminaries, while simultaneously driving home a sound that is contemporary, emotive and challenging to define. Frances' raw, spellbinding vocals cut through distorted guitars and playful percussion on lead single "Waitress". "Texas Funeral" is a propulsive pop anti-anthem, which builds as the track ascends to its roaring peak. Swelling guitars drive "Powerful Man" and an instantly catchy melody keep listeners hooked.Often depicted on Painted Shut are the two lives of legendary (though generally unknown) musicians Buddy Bolden and Jackson C. Frank, who were plagued with mental illness until their penniless deaths. It touches upon accounts of poverty, abuse, greed; and banal, sub-par behavior. The songs present themselves unencumbered despite the difficult subject matter, at times both jubilant and irreverent.