The breakup of LVL UP was the rare kind of breakup that was only sad for a short period of time before we realized that from the ashes we’d just be getting a more diverse set of stellar releases from the band courtesy of each of their solo projects. Among those projects was The Glow, headed by Michael Caridi, whose 2019 LP Am I landed less than a year after the band dissolved. Today, we’re hearing the first new music from the band since then in the form of a double single that introduces four more permanent band members into the mix.
Now a four-piece, the sonic direction of the band has only become more complex with Greg Rutkin (also formerly of LVL UP), Kate Meizner (also of Potty Mouth and Hellrazor), and Nicola Leel (Doe) involved (Madeline Babuka Black of Yucky Duster also makes an appearance here). “Love Only” sounds like it could’ve been cut from Am I, while “Heavy Glow” demonstrates a more dream pop–oriented sound aided by shared vocal duties before the seven-minute track veers off course into a feedback-heavy victory lap.
“‘Love Only’ and ‘Heavy Glow’ are the first two songs written by The Glow, sorta,” Caridi shares. “I’ve been releasing music under The Glow moniker since 2016 or so, but until now I’d considered it a solo outlet. The Glow live band came together around the 2019 record Am I, and somehow I got lucky enough to play with a bunch of musicians who I’ve known and admired for years. To be surrounded by so much talent and not be open to collaboration would have been a major misstep on my part. There’s so much joy in collaboration that I missed a lot while trying to do things on my own. ‘Love Only’ is about reflection and growth; I feel extremely lucky to be playing music with my friends, and with these two songs The Glow feels like it’s just beginning to bloom.”
Hear both tracks below.
