Since the start of their musical journey, Naked Giants has avoided falling into one genre. The trio of vocalist/guitarist Grant Mullen, bassist/vocalist Gianni Aiello, and drummer Henry LaVallee started the band when they were 18. The project has evolved into an all-encompassing rock outfit that touches on the frantic nature of punk just as much as the slow-moving murkiness of grunge. Now far removed from their teenage years, Naked Giants look to create something impactful on their third studio album, Shine Away, which is set to be released on October 4. Along with the album announcement, Glide is premiering the lead single, “Apartment 3,” with a Heather Garcia-directed music video streaming below.
“Our first record was still running on fuel from starting the band as 18-year-olds with a rock’n’roll dream,” says Mullen. “Since then, life has changed. We all got day jobs or went back to school and really grew into ourselves individually. Before, we were anxious to express ourselves in whatever way we could through music. Now, we have more to say, and I think we’ve made a record with more meaning and purpose.” The band’s growth is evident on “Apartment 3.” Without sacrificing the youthful energy that made the band so enticing to begin with, Naked Giants showcases their growth as songwriters by creating an infectious pop-tinged single with radiate melodies and explosive guitar work. The searing guitar solos harken back to the band’s love of punk chaos as they employ a newfound love of in-your-face pop-rock.
Naked Giants brought in producer Dylan Wall to help them find a middle ground between who they were and who they hoped to become. Wall, who produced the band’s 2016 debut EP, knows who Naked Giants were better than anybody. “I’ve realized that being an effective communicator is such an important part of being a musician,” adds Aiello. “We’re carrying the typical garage-rock ‘throw it at the wall and see what sticks’ ethos with us to this new phase of life. This time around, there’s room in the music (and in ourselves) not only for the young, raucous kids we used to be but also for the fully emotional people we’re becoming – people with hearts that love and break and ache and all that kind of stuff.”
After two studio albums, it feels like Naked Giants are ready to introduce themselves to the world properly. Combining The Pixies’ musical flexibility and the expansive rock of Ty Segall, Naked Giants surely has a practice shed full of musical tricks. The band has reached a level of maturity that tells them it is time to move on but never forget. After all, our past is what makes us, and Naked Giants don’t plan to shy away from this sentiment on Shine Away. “The rock and roll dream of my youth had to crash and burn out on the road,” continues Mullen, “It just wasn’t real, and I was heading toward a dead end. Once I let go, I realized I already had what I had been searching for in that fantasy – the love for writing and playing music and getting to share it.”
Pre-save Shine Away here: https://orcd.co/shineaway
Shine Away Track List
1. Apartment 3
2. Missed Out
3. Bad Guys Win
4. Half Full Cups
5. Dissolve
6. Oh Michael
7. Did I Just Die
8. Case Of The Bastards
9. Shine Away
