What's Up With All These Shangri-Las

The Homesick are an adventurous Dutch trio who masterfully blend styles such as post-punk, krautrock, new wave, and experimental pop with fearless curiosity and dedication. Free from dogma yet restlessly romantic, The Homesick have reinvented themselves time and again across several albums—from their rousing debut, *Youth Hunt*, to their baroque-tinged breakthrough album, *The Big Exercise*, released on Sub Pop. On their third, independently released, self-titled album—created in the post-pandemic era—the trio fused their wide range of influences into a leaner, more pulsating sound. Now, on their fourth album (and their first on Siluh Records), The Homesick have forged their own highly inventive and consistently entertaining version of club music across ten tracks. They create a captivating flow between the tracks, effortlessly shifting between the catchy, city-pop-inspired lead single "Esperanto," the 808-beat-driven heartbreak song "Policelessness," and the fairytale-like disco number "The Bees." To realize this functional yet fantastical dance odyssey, The Homesick enlisted a fourth pair of ears for support. Amsterdam-based producer and artist Rimer London—a key figure in both the mainstream and underground—lent his own distinctive, pop-oriented touch to the material after the trio had finished their studio tinkering. This fresh creative boost helped the band draw inspiration from pop-influenced influences, such as the sensual "Love off the Leash" or the wistful West Coast pop of "Hey." By embracing clubby, 80s-inspired sounds rather than the dissonant post-punk of earlier days, they allowed The trio often get swept away by an avalanche of ideas – as with the driving electro-pop of "Sway the Needy." Ultimately, the goal was to give each track its own distinct sonic character: "Humdrum" flirts with Talking Heads classics, while the frenetic dub of "Street Cyst" culminates in irresistible hyperpop influences. The Homesick further cement their reputation as unconventional scenesters with the rousing synth-pop march "Horse Alone." And one thing is certain – there's much more eclectic grandeur to discover on "What's Up With All These Shangri-Las." Let The Homesick be the soundtrack to your unanswered questions – it's truly worth it.