The Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based trio American Motors made a strong impression with their 2024 debut, Content. They’re back with news of a fresh release that continues their scraping, pounding, ominous underground rock aesthetic. For Functional Music, due in November, the band again linked up with the renowned J Robbins at his Magpie Cage studio in Baltimore, an arrangement that makes Alex Steward’s drums hit with extra visceral force. Singer-guitarist Dustin White offered the following:
During the creation of the first record, we defined a conceptual framework to operate within. On this new effort we’re adding more specific detail inside that framework, and nudging against its edges. We’ve taken larger chances in a few sections, yet we’ve stayed true to our approach—essentially what Alex and I find engaging. We continue to explore empty space and repetition. Working with J again was a dream, and no band I’ve been in has managed to release a second LP while still functioning as a band, so this feels like a major milestone. It’s a bit more inward compared with the outward focus of the first LP. It’s a society we inhabit, and we’re living in it.
Lead single “No Horses” might recall Pile or Chat Pile, as well as FACS or Shellac. White’s moaning vocals bring to mind fellow Columbus transplant Jerry David DeCicca, and the chorus veers toward a surprisingly warm, melodic turn within the context of such punishing post-hardcore. Here’s more from White:
“No Horses” largely unfolds along Route 60 just outside St Albans, West Virginia—the same stretch featured in our debut’s “(A Billboard Reading) Dissolve Jefferson.” One of our favorite tricks as a band is letting either guitar or bass hold essentially one note while the other instrument moves around. Here we do both. For the video, we were fortunate enough to shoot at the Large Scale Systems Museum, just outside Pittsburgh. Everyone should visit and interact with these machines; they want you to. To maintain the antiquated technology vibe, the entire shoot was filmed on a 1960s Arriflex 16ST 16mm camera. I’m honestly amazed we pulled it off.”
Watch below.
TRACKLIST:
1 “Obvious”
2 “One Chord”
3 “No Horses”
4 “5408 Big Tyler”
5 “Margaritaville Pt. 2”
6 “Marlboro Miles”
7 “Tragedy”
8 “Gold Star”
Functional Music is out 11/6 via The Ghost Is Clear/Expert Work/Vina. Pre-order it here.
