North Highlands

North Highlands sounds like the internal monologue of a twenty-something navigating the high-stakes emotional geography of New York City. Their music is built on a foundation of warm, interlocking guitar parts and a rhythm section that feels both grounded and restless. There is a distinct sense of space in their arrangements, moving from the lighthearted, orchestral-leaning folk of their early work to a more muscular, soul-inflected dream pop that feels lived-in and slightly weathered.

What sets them apart is the vocal interplay and the way they use rhythm to mirror emotional uncertainty. While many of their Brooklyn contemporaries leaned into pure fuzz or detached cool, North Highlands maintained a vulnerable, breathy sincerity. Their later evolution introduced post-punk angularity and 70s soul grooves, creating a sound that is simultaneously nostalgic and anxious, like a memory you are trying to make sense of in real-time.

Start with the album Wild One. It is the definitive document of their sound, balancing the playful exuberance of their DIY roots with a darker, more sophisticated production style. Tracks like 'Wild One' and 'Benefits' showcase their ability to turn personal doubt into shimmering, rhythmic pop that feels both intimate and expansive.