Chicago four-piece A.M. Slingers returns with To the Nines, a short, energetic collection of indie rock and power pop that tackles getting older without taking itself too seriously. Released digitally in April, the band’s second album is now available on vinyl at Rattleback Records in Andersonville.
Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, To the Nines keeps things simple: two guitars, loud amps, driving drums and plenty of catchy hooks.
Rich Forsythe sings about the uneasy territory between youth and whatever comes next: “Just because we’re getting older / Doesn’t mean we know what to do.” It’s a fitting mission statement for a record that refuses to confuse getting older with slowing down.
The album jumps between upbeat songs, garage-rock energy and moments that feel made for a packed room. “Knock It Off” brings a little glam-rock attitude, while “Whoopski Girl” and “Going South” show off the band’s unmistakable Chicago personality.
To the Nines is the sound of a band refusing to coast — a little older, perhaps, but still ready to give everything they’ve got left and then some.
At the center of it all is a simple idea: getting older doesn’t mean you’ve got everything figured out.
And A.M. Slingers aren’t pretending they do.
They’re just turning up the volume and moving forward.
