Public Recommendation: Astrologer

If you’re anything like us, you’re feeling pretty downcast about America’s upcoming 250th birthday. But a new record has just dropped that manages to not only clear out some of my Semiquincentennial blues, but offer a slight bit of garage pop optimism in spite of it all: Maiden America, the new album from Phoenix art-poppers Astrologer.

The band’s first new music since 2024, the record strikes a balance between the studio polish of the band’s 2023’s Eternal Friday and 2024’s lo-fi home taped opus Astrologer Fleetwood Sprawl.

Released via Lolipop Records, Maiden America extolls humanist themes. My favorite tracks are “Waking Life,” a chiming downcast number with lead vocals by co-bandleader Candy, and the rocking “Coyote,” featuring a video filmed right here at Hello Lincoln.

Fans of power pop like The New Pornographers or Lemon Twigs should dig this new gem, and the Astrologer crew is also readying their own label, Candyland Record Company, with a new comp called Cavalcade of Stars Volume 1, featuring artists like Jad Fair, Noah Nash of Uni Boys, Serene Dominic, and more, coming out later this summer through our sponsors, Hello Merch.