Carly Cosgrove have dropped their latest single, "Fluff My Pillow," from their forthcoming album The Cleanest of Houses Are Empty, set to be released on 14 June via Wax Bodega.
The new track portrays lethargy in an enticing light, according to singer and guitarist Lucas Naylor:
"The narrator justifies their inaction, treating their isolation and sleep as if it’s a drug or a temptation."
The band previously released the first single and music video for "You Old Dog." Carly Cosgrove has also announced an acoustic performance and record signing event at Repo Records in Philly on 21 June.
The Cleanest of Houses Are Empty is Carly Cosgrove's follow-up to their 2021 debut See You In Chemistry, which explored themes of personal growth through anxiety, depression, indecision, and self-actualization. On The Cleanest of Houses Are Empty, Carly Cosgrove confronts the chronic emotional struggles of modern life.
Naylor reveals:
"In summer 2022, I was diagnosed with a personality disorder. Over time, I subconsciously determined that the best way to eliminate the collateral as I figured things out was to isolate for as long as possible and just sort of shut everyone else out. This record details those thoughts. This is an album about habit, familiarity, unfamiliarity, depression, lethargy, and self-reflection."
The album was recorded at Philadelphia’s iconic Studio 4 with Justin Bartlett (Bartees Strange, Movements, L.S. Dunes). Naylor, who knew Bartlett from their time at Temple University performing in jazz ensembles, aimed to capture the kinetic energy of Carly Cosgrove’s live shows.
Drummer Tyler Kramer explains:
"We purposely wanted to make a big, very live-sounding record. Our live show is the best way to hear our music because of the energy we’re able to harness on stage. It can be hard to translate to an album, so we specifically worked in a room we knew could capture that."
Bassist Helen Barsz adds:
"We worked to balance guitar work with rhythm, lyrics, and melody rather than doubling down on music theory. Lucas was coming up with some of his heaviest, strongest lyrical work, and that allowed us to move toward alternate chord voicings and the more harmonic side of things."
Carly Cosgrove recently completed the wildly successful Wax Bodega tour with Arm’s Length, Ben Quad, and Saturday’s at Your Place, with most shows selling out. They are confirmed to perform at the upcoming Excellency Festival on August 3, sharing the stage with bands like Free Throw, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Palette Knife, and Retirement Party.
Save the date for The Cleanest of Houses Are Empty, and watch the visualiser for “Fluff My Pillow”:
Upcoming live dates
26 September - Boston, MA @ Crystal Ballroom
27 September - Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right
28 September - Philadelphia, PA @ The Ukie Club (DIY Superbowl)
