We are all, in one sense or another, shaped by people’s perceptions of us. Our values and belief systems are largely determined by the company we keep, the friends and family we embrace, the echo chambers we settle into. For these reasons, few things can be as unsettling as walking into a room full of strangers. Without familiar faces or connections to cling to it’s easy to feel lost and unmoored. This is especially true during the formative period of young adulthood when our sense of self is continually evolving.

On their debut album, Nightlights, Atlanta rockers Secret Towns explore the intersection between the suburban ennui of their youth and the possibilities offered by the wider world. New single “Scenery,” which we’re excited to premiere today, uses rumbling drums and driving fuzz-rock atmospheres to probe questions of identity and alienation. “Everyone is suspicious of me,” sings guitarist and vocalist Luke Thornton, echoing the tension and paranoia that comes with feeling alone among a group of people.

“Oftentimes in social situations, it’s easy to feel out of place and struggle with a sense of belonging,” Thornton explains. “‘Scenery’ is about the thought process of being in the middle of a situation like that. Sometimes you find yourself somewhere where you barely know anyone and this song reflects a lot of those anxieties.”

Tuneful and anthemic, “Scenery” highlights the Secret Towns’ growth since the release of 2020’s Small Hours EP. The songwriting is more focused and intuitive, the playing more purposeful. With its sharp hooks and emphatic chorus, the track absolutely soars. But there’s more to it than that. Melody and volume and are all well good, but it’s the emotional connections they foster that really bring the rush.

Listen below.

Nightlights is out tomorrow. The LP was produced by Damon Moon with additional production and mixing by Ben Etter (Franz Ferdinand, Deerhunter, Cut Copy).

More Info
Bandcamp: secrettownsband.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @SecretTownsBand
Soundcloud: @secret-towns
Instagram: @secret_towns