Well, twenty-four years between albums is admittedly a long time but I was pretty interested when I received the press release from Earshot Media.  I was not aware of this band back in the late 90’s and early 00’s when they were actively putting out three albums in five years.  Instead I had run across them during one of those Apple Music rabbit holes where you start clicking on “Similar Artists” (I think back then it was “you might also like…” or “other artists like…”?) and eventually cross paths with some interesting bands.  I believe that particular chase had started with Samian but however it started, I ended up on Self-Made Mess (1997) from Six Going on Seven.  The music on that album was unique in its sparse lyrics and the arrangements woven around those words.  “Flu Season” and “Getaway Car” are two stand-out tracks on that release.   They had a couple more after that with Heartbreak’s Got Backbeat and American’t (Or Won’t) before they dropped off the scene.  Josh English (vocals, bass) released some solo work after that (“Great like Ghosts” is a favorite of mine) and I am unfortunately not aware of what James Bransford (guitar) and Will Bartlett (drums) have been up to in the interim.  

The new album is set to come out January 9, 2026 via Spartan Records and this single is the first one available to check out their current sound.  It opens up soft and slow and sets a kind of wistful tone that is joined by a little piano before filling out to a more full sound a little after the one minute mark.  The song from that point on is defined by a fairly linear drum track which sets an excellent framework for the music. It is enhanced by bass guitar that adds sonic texture and guitar that jumps through at some moments like a lonely scream. The vocals are clear and assertive, delivering lyrics that have a definite story to tell. This track, which shows the band is back and already going strong, is a good listen and hopefully a sign of a lot of good things to come on that album.  

You can check out the video for this one here on YouTube:  

You can pre-save the album (and yes, this does help:) here: 

https://orcd.co/humantears

And get a pre-order in for the vinyl here: 

Six Going On Seven

Let me know what you think!