Every Monday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf shares a sonic gem she found using her nearly 20 years of new-music exploration experience. You can hear all her discoveries at 2 p.m. every Sunday on What’s All This: Adventures in New Music.
Los Angeles post-punk pop trio Automatic are Izzy Glaudini (synths), Lola Dompé (drums) and Halle Saxon (bass). All three sing, yet Glaudini is seen as the leader, emphasizing the group’s overall nonchalantly cool style.
Automatic just announced their next release for the Stones Throw label, Is It Now?, produced with Loren Humphrey (who’s worked with Cameron Winter and Arctic Monkeys, among others). The title track, which serves as the lead track, builds on the trio’s minimalistic, synth-driven sound with its playful three-part vocal harmonies and a peppy tempo.
Glaudini says that, thematically, the full album is about tapping into your own power and being resilient. “The thing I think about the most on a day-to-day basis is: How do you have a sense of joy while the world seems to be collapsing, and you feel so powerless?” she shared. “We have a responsibility to pull the levers to stop the machine. 'Is It Now?' is about trying to not feel like a victim in this environment.”
The full album is due out this fall, but you can hear “Is It Now?” from Automatic on the latest episode of What’s All This via the player at the top of the page and in regular rotation on 88Nine this week. Then be sure to stay tuned for a fresh batch of tunes on the next episode of What’s All This: Adventures in New Music at 2 p.m. every Sunday on 88Nine.
Best new indie music this week
- Wednesday, "Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)"
- Omni, "Forever Beginner"
- Automatic, "Is It Now?"
- Nation of Language, "I'm Not Ready for the Change"
- Young Fathers, "Lowly"
- Kerala Dust, "I Remember You A Dancer"
- bar italia, "Cowbella"
- Just Mustard, "POLLYANA"
- Winter, "Misery (ft. Horse Jumper of Love)"
- GOON, "Begin Here"
- Benét, "Radio Silence (ft. Radio Silence)"
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra, "DEATH COMES FROM THE SKY"
- Yaya Bey, "spin cycle”
