Songs in the Key of Yikes

Published: Monday, August 25, 2025 at 4:01 am

Superchunk Returns with "Songs in the Key of Yikes"

Indie-rock veterans Superchunk have released their 13th album, "Songs in the Key of Yikes," a reflection on the anxieties of the modern world. The album marks a return to the band's core sound, focusing on guitars, bass, and drums after the more expansive textures of their previous release, "Wild Loneliness."

The new album follows a period of significant change for the band. The departure of drummer Jon Wurster, who had been with Superchunk since 1993, and the arrival of Laura King, has influenced the album's sound. The band conserves energy, favoring a mid-tempo approach throughout much of the record.

"Songs in the Key of Yikes" grapples with the weight of current events, echoing themes explored in previous albums like "What a Time to Be Alive," which addressed the first Trump administration, and "Wild Loneliness," which reflected the pandemic. The album's lyrics, penned by Mac McCaughan, explore themes of anxiety and a search for meaning in a challenging world. McCaughan's lyrics are filled with imagery of bruised lungs, collapsing dancefloors, and trains on fire, reflecting the nightmarish news cycle. The album's opening track offers emotion as a defense, while the closing track expresses a sense of defeat.

The album features moments of increased energy, particularly on tracks like "Everybody Dies" and "Stuck in a Dream," which provide a sense of urgency to McCaughan's anxieties.

BNN's Perspective:

Superchunk's latest offering provides a timely reflection on the anxieties of our era. While the band's return to a more traditional sound may appeal to long-time fans, the album's focus on current events and the search for meaning resonates with the broader societal concerns. The album's introspective nature offers a valuable perspective on the challenges of navigating the modern world.

Keywords: Superchunk, Songs in the Key of Yikes, indie rock, Mac McCaughan, album review, music, new release, Laura King, Jon Wurster, Wild Loneliness, What a Time to Be Alive, music review, rock music

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