Great read as usual. Our music tastes line up almost exactly - that was one of the first songs I really was captivated by from this band. As a side note, I think "The Maine" is aging well already. I absolutely love this record and it slots in behind LLL for me as their second best - with the other records a good distance behind those two.
They’ve shared “fly on the wall” studio updates for the last week on Pillar. They’re usually 2-3 minute, up to 10-minute clips of them working on songs, discussing album themes, recording voice memos. During the 7/25 video Pat says they have “9 fucking awesome songs.” Someone else in the room says “there’s a lot of cool there,” referring to the songs as a whole. The producer and band agree to take the songs home with the goal to listen to what may be needed, ie. an interlude or even additional songs. The 7/26 clip features John diving into an anthemic song; something that’ll be placed toward the end of the album; a song you might play at the end of the night as the bar is about to close and you’re with good friends screaming your heart out (my words); the song features a 3/4 time signature; John mentions one theme he envisions is that it’s a song with a “thanks a lot sentiment.” If I had to guess I’d say the album rollout will happen at the beginning of 2026. We might hear something before the end of the year though.
If you’re interested in any of the Chain Reaction shows for American Candy, let me know. I’m selling a pair of tickets for each night. October 14th, 15th, or 16th.
John’s feature on the Acceptance re-record feels like a line between The Letter and Loved You a Little. I never really made the link, but the dueling vocals on a similar-ish melody really stick out on the new version.
At 2pm PST today on Pillar a band called The Maine will release the XOXO livestream on vinyl along with other new merch items.
Lovely Little Lonely is the big one, but I also don’t have You Are OK or Forever Halloween. Or Black & White, but that one hasn’t ever been pressed.
The Maine on US Weekly is hilarious for some reason. Pumped to hear where they take their sound with this next album though.
Just as jarring as it was seeing an interview with Adam Lazzara a few years back. Love those crossovers with mainstream media.