Trying Not to Have a Thought marks the return of Algernon Cadwallader after a 14-year gap since Parrot Flies (2011), and reunites the band’s original lineup for the first time since their influential debut. The album balances the band’s signature intricate guitar interplay and energetic emo roots with a new sense of urgency and lyrical clarity. Musically, it mixes delicate finger-tapped riffs, dynamic percussion, and both chaotic and atmospheric passages, giving the songs weight and immediacy without losing the playful intensity that fans have long cherished.

Lyrically the album leans more explicit and socially conscious than prior works, addressing grief, memory, inequality, and the pressures of modern life. Tracks like Hawk, Million Dollars, and Attn MOVE weave personal emotional reckonings with political and historical reflections—something the band achieves while retaining their musical chemistry and instinctive energy. The sound feels both like a continuation of what Algernon Cadwallader has always been, and a maturation: they are noisier, denser, more focused, yet still capable of moments of melodic surprise and raw emotional release.

Reviews

“Philly’s emo-revival heroes are back to show us how it’s done. The band’s first new album in 14 years threads their finger-tapped riffs with familiar camaraderie and new social consciousness.” — Pitchfork