New York alt-country rock band, Hide and Shine returns with their latest album, The Red Core. Leading up to the release, the band put out their second track from the album, “Metamorphosis,”– a single that conveys the dynamic nature of change.
I think this is the only song on the album that does not have some reference to fire or burning, but it clearly fits the “transformation” theme– in the most obvious way. If you’ve ever seen time-lapse photography of a seedling emerging from the ground, or a butterfly breaking from its chrysalis, you’ll notice that it appears to be extremely violent. Don’t worry. It’s just the nature of change. It ends well.
Chris Kelly on “Metamorphosis”
In their latest single, “Metamorphosis,” Hide and Shine takes listeners on a sonic journey that mirrors the natural process of transformation. They take on an experimental approach, allowing the music to evolve, and inviting listeners to fully absorb every detail from instrumentals to lyricism. The song offers space for introspection, encouraging each listener to find their own personal connection. The band has a unique ability to create such a transformative sound.
“Metamorphosis” follows the release of “Hemorrhage and Heal,” the band’s first single released from the album that is a heavy foreshadowing of a painful, but beneficial transformation to come.
Hide and Shine’s music blends punk energy with spiritual undertones. The lyrics hint at alchemy, UFO/religious experiences, lucid dreaming, and inter-dimensional existence themes. Their sound contains a deepness of social empathy but never comes off as “political.” Rather, it is more concerned with humanity, and becomes buried under poetry.
Their songs may seem unusual, but Hide and Shine successfully creates a feel so familiar almost like an omnipresent nostalgia. While their musicality spans seven decades of American and British rock, songwriter Chris Kelly believes that “It’s the people we’ve played with throughout our lives that have the most influence on our sound. The sound is more than just a reflection of what we listen to. It includes the people and experiences that are absorbed along the way.”
The first description made of Hide and Shine was “An Art Death indie Post-Punk Country Rock Alternative.” Record stores played an integral role in relating Hide and Shine to other bands, determined that their music had the raw literary punk of The Replacements, sweet yet monstrous attack of Dinosaur Jr., dark introspection of Radiohead, and noticeable nods to grunge, classic, metal, classic country and classic rock.
In 2022, Kelly received a “psychic download of 50 song ideas” and shared them with drummer Micheal Chambers after their first meeting– a dinner set up by their wives. Kelly assumed that they would have a little fun making a “little noise” and record a few songs together. As veterans of New York City’s 90s/2000s post-punk/art rock/alt-country scene, the idea of a “band” was not prominent to Kelly and Chambers. Yet, after hearing a striking and intriguing sound in the demos, Chambers began frantically producing drum tracks to all 50 ideas. The two began translating thoughts into songs and each song formed a life of its own. After a series of back-and-forth questions, a powerful feeling of positive energy and movement came about with the songs. Thus, the deciding factor in forming the band.
With the addition of Knoxville native, Chris Ferguson on bass, the band began working on its first album, Soft Machines, which was released in June 2024. While the band handled recording and production, the late Steve Albini shaped the raw material into a cohesive final project. The band considers itself lucky for the chance to work with Albini at Electrical Audio studios. Their debut record was well received across audiences.
As basic tracks on Soft Machines were being finished in 2023, the band began to work on its second album containing 14 songs. The installment of music refines successful elements of Soft Machines combined with the production of Matt Wallace (The Replacements, Faith No More).
David Anderson joined as the band’s bassist in December 2024. He had previously worked with Hide and Shine during studio and live sound work and expressed interest in working with the band on the other side. The trio quickly formed into their new sound, absorbing the spirit and experiences of their new member.
To celebrate and in support of the new album, the band will be playing select shows in and around their home– the creative capital of America– Kingston. They are in the planning stages for a monthly party that will showcase local music, food, art, and more.
Hide and Shine have envisioned, performed, and recorded an album that is equal parts muscular and brutal instrumentation pushing against haunting and catchy melodies and lyrics. If there is goodness of music, I wish and hope that she blesses and lifts this song to the highest levels possible. The entire world should have the opportunity to be moved by Hide and Shine.
Album producer, Matt Wallace
The album will be available to stream on all platforms on Friday, June 20 and is now available for pre-order. More up-to-date information and updates can be found at Hide and Shine’s official website.
Hide and Shine New York Tour
June 20 – Night Swim – Kingston **Record Release Party**
June 23 – Live webcast on Talkshop.live from Utopia Sound Studios – Bearsville
July 13 – Main Drag Music – Brooklyn
July 19 – Rosendale Street Festival – Rosendale
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