Would It Kill You?

Released four years after their synth-heavy debut, 'Would It Kill You?' represents one of the most successful aesthetic pivots of the 2010s indie-pop era. Forrest Kline effectively dismantled the band's 'neon-pop' reputation, opting for a self-produced, organic sound recorded largely in his home studio. The album draws heavy inspiration from 1960s baroque pop and the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds', utilizing a wide array of live instrumentation including mandolin, trumpet, and trombone. This shift was partly necessitated by the band's departure from a major label to their own imprint, Wasted Summer, allowing for a more experimental and personal recording process. Critics noted the maturity in Kline's songwriting, which traded teenage angst for more nuanced reflections on aging and intimacy. The record remains a cult favorite for its 'sunshine pop' revivalism and its role in bridging the gap between the MySpace era and the more refined indie-folk movement of the early 2010s.