ALBUM REVIEW: Hayday by feeble little horse

Oct 23, 2021Oct 23, 2021 John Peterson 0 Comments allison beck, feeble little horse, hayday

WRITTEN BY: Allison Beck

Feeble little horse is a can’t miss for anyone who loves a good basement show. The Pittsburgh-based group consisting of Ryan Walchonski, Sebastian Kinsler, Jake Kelley, and Lydia Slocum, came together as a consequence of the pandemic. The product was not your upstair neighbor’s debut Soundcloud rap album—instead, feeble little horse has created a gritty, angsty sound you won’t soon forget. Their EP, modern tourism, arrived in May of 2021 and found high praise in Melted, Steel City Death Club, and other music spaces.

Releasing Hayday this past friday, October 22nd, the band adds new energy and depth to their discography. Clocking in at 21:04, the record continues modern tourism’s legacy with dense, blended sounds, but adds something new to the composition. You will fall into this album—its surrounding sound and range of emotion are not to be forgotten. Song by song, here’s what the album had to offer.

“Worth It” starts out slow and acoustic, but surprises listeners at the end with a big, cinematic push- a fantastic opener.

“Termites” goes full jam—a total head banger. The emotional mix is electrifying.

“Chores” was originally released as a single between the band’s EP modern tourism, and is a great way to taste what feeble little horse has to offer. It’s sarcastic, sassy, and sung with a smile that will tear you to shreds.

“Tricks” blends right into “Chores” when listening to the album in order. It’s slower, darker, and softer than the preceding songs, and adds new emotional dimension with vocalist Lydia Slocum’s range on display. It’s giving rainy fall afternoon.

While it only lasts 44 seconds, “Too Much” features a different vocalist that leaves listeners wondering what else might be in store.

“Sherman’s Last Ride” completes the albums interlude at only 17 seconds. The band meditates on mortality and inevitability.

“Picture” pairs well with “Tricks,” with a similar slow, rainy vibe. It’s softer and more personal than other songs on the record with a more romantic touch.

“You’ve Got It” has some new techno-sounds and sampling with distorted audio that builds an interesting dynamic in another short taste-test piece.

“Kennedy” returns the record to its basement band roots. The vocals are mixed tightly with the guitar and drums for a dense, encompassing sound that will enhance any live performance.

“Drama Queen” is similar to “Kennedy,” with audio sampling and grunge rock, but with its own twists. Also released as a single before the full record, the song plays with dissonance and twangy guitar to create an angsty flavor.

“Grace” closes out the album by leaning hard into the equine band name by combining grunge and Western sounds and rhythms. While it begins more slow and worshipful, the song takes a sharp, exciting turn to the jam-band tones feeble little horse does so well. It closes the record out as a summary of both the slow, meditative songs and the blood-pumping rock, grit, grunge and romance. Everything is thrown together in the best type of way.

feeble little horse’s album Hayday expands their discography with new range. From basement concert jams to softer hits, you won’t want to miss what the project has to offer.