Horsegirl — the New York-via-Chicago trio of best friends Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece — has announced their second album, Phonetics On and On, out February 14th, 2025, via Matador Records, a Chicago record release show and spring tour, and release lead single/video, “2468.” Produced by Cate Le Bon and recorded at The Loft in Chicago, the band’s original and sonic home, Phonetics On and On is an exploration of the lines between pop, minimalism, and playful experimentation.
Since the release of 2022’s Versions of Modern Performance, much has changed for Horsegirl. In the fall of that year, the three relocated to New York City, where Penelope and Nora were to attend NYU— this was the first time the trio had written music outside of Penelope’s parents’ basement. The band’s new environment is reflected in the sonic fabric of the record. Through this time of unparalleled change, the band turns inward.
When Horsegirl returned to Chicago to record in January 2024, they found a focus and intimacy in the studio that can only arise when it’s simply too cold to step outside. Le Bon led them into new, bright, clear, sonic territories, highlighting the inventive nature of these songs. New tools help bring this world to life; violins, synths, and gamelan tiles are all woven into the record. The 11 songs experiment with space and texture while maintaining a pop song at the core. All the while, a confident simplicity brings the band’s songwriting ability to the forefront.
Phonetics On and On Tracklist
1. Where’d You Go
2. Rock City
3. In Twos
4. 2468
5. Well I Know You’re Shy
6. Julie
7. Switch Over
8. Information Content
9. Frontrunner
10. Sport Meets Sound
11. I Can’t Stand To See You
Horsegirl Tour Dates
Sat. Feb. 22 – Chicago, IL @ Metro (Record Release Show) ^
Fri. Mar. 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church %
Sat. Mar. 22 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat %
Sun. Mar. 23 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings %
Mon. Mar. 24 – Richmond, VA @ The Warehouse %
Wed. Mar. 26 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom %
Thu. Mar. 27 – Somerville, MA @ Arts at The Armory %
Fri. Mar. 28 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater %
Sat. Mar. 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw %
^ w/ Lifeguard & Answering Machines
% w/ Free Range
