Recording under the name Kuddlybear, longtime Capital Region musician Joel Lilley returns with The Permanent Now, a self-made, introspective sophomore album that marks a bold new chapter in his musical journey.
Lilley was the drummer for Saratoga Springs-based indie rock bands Dryer and The Sixfifteens, both of which helped shape the region’s sound in their time. After stepping away from music for over a decade to pursue a career in other creative fields, Lilley returned to songwriting in recent years—this time, completely solo.
Under the name Kuddlybear, Lilley writes, records, and performs everything himself: drums, bass, guitar, vocals, keys, percussion, mandolin—you name it. On The Permanent Now, Kuddlybear experiments with a variety of melodies and blends vocals and instruments in fresh ways, allowing his own creative spirit to shine through. This mix of sounds makes the album feel like a true extension of where he is now as an artist.
In December 2024, Kuddlybear released his debut full-length, Evil Era— a record that felt like someone rediscovering what making music feels like. The album is guitar-heavy and beat-driven, with standout tracks like “Corner Intoxicants” showcasing mixed vocals and tight drums that hold the swirling instrumentation together. On “Pet Negasaur,” the guitar-forward rhythm and stacked vocals blend into something that feels instinctual—like it just flows out of him. That sense of natural movement runs through the whole record. By the time you get to “Won’t Be Long ‘Til They Come For Us,” it’s clear that Lilley isn’t just returning to music—he’s finding his own sound again.
On The Permanent Now, Lilley grows further into his own sound—reflecting his inner world while reconnecting with his musical roots. The album captures the honest, imperfect feeling that reminds us why we listen to music—and shows anyone can return to their creative self and find something anew.
The album drops May 30, and is available to listen on Bandcamp. Lilley is marking the release with an online listening party the same night at 9:00 PM EDT via Bandcamp.
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