Slow Pulp is an American indie rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2015 and currently based in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2] The quartet consists of vocalist and guitarist Emily Massey, guitarist and producer Henry Stoehr, bassist Alex Leeds, and drummer Teddy Mathews, with Stoehr, Leeds, and Mathews having known each other since elementary school in Madison.[1][3][4]The band's sound draws from shoegaze, grunge, and dream pop, characterized by lo-fi production, introspective lyrics, and catchy hooks that explore themes of vulnerability, relationships, and personal growth.[5][1][6] Slow Pulp released their debut EP, EP1, in 2015, followed by EP2 in 2017 and the EP Big Day in 2019, all self-released or via independent labels, building a grassroots following through DIY ethos and Midwest tours.[7][8] Their breakthrough came with the 2020 full-length album Moveys on Winspear Records, featuring tracks like "Idaho" and "At It Again" that showcased Massey's emotive vocals and the band's slacker rock vibe.[9][10]In 2023, Slow Pulp signed with Anti- Records and released their sophomore albumYard, which earned critical acclaim for its polished yet raw evolution, with singles "Cramps" and "Slugs" highlighting their matured songwriting.[11][12][6] The album's success propelled extensive North American and European tours, including festival appearances, solidifying their place in the contemporary indie scene.[11] As of 2025, the band continues touring, with announced shows supporting artists like Lucy Dacus, and a deluxe reissue of Moveys marking five years since its original release.[13][14]
History
Formation and early EPs (2015–2018)
Slow Pulp was formed in 2015 in Madison, Wisconsin, by childhood friends Alex Leeds on bass, Teddy Mathews on drums, and Henry Stoehr on guitar, all of whom were attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the time.[15][16][17] The trio's initial sound drew from the local Madisonindie and garage rock scenes, characterized by lo-fi production and raw energy influenced by the area's punk-adjacent music community.[18] Their early work reflected a DIY ethos, with the band self-recording and performing at small venues around the Midwest while balancing college life.[1]The band's debut release, the self-titled EP1, arrived later that year on June 8, 2015, originally issued under their prior name Barbara Hans but rebranded as Slow Pulp.[19] This five-track EP, self-released and available as digital files, featured tracks such as "Mind Movies," "Bad Kids," "Killing Time," "Paper Dreams," and "Bonus," showcasing instrumental-driven garage rock with hazy, reverb-heavy guitars and a focus on youthful introspection.[19] EP1 marked their entry into the local scene, with Stoehr handling much of the recording and mixing, establishing the group's collaborative, home-recorded approach.[19]In 2016, Emily Massey joined as vocalist and guitarist, expanding the lineup to a quartet and shifting the band's dynamic toward her contributions in songwriting and lead vocals.[20] This change brought a more emotive, vocal-forward style to their music. The following year, on March 9, 2017, they released their second self-titled EP, EP2, which introduced Massey's presence prominently across its six tracks: "Brett Favre," "Bundt Cakes," "Die Alone," "Husband Pillow," "Houseboat," and "Preoccupied."[21][22]EP2 emphasized themes of youth, anxiety, and relational unease through Massey's dreamy yet anxious delivery, paired with the band's evolving indie rock sound, and was distributed via Bandcamp and limited CD runs.[23][1]During this period, Slow Pulp built a grassroots following through frequent local performances in Madison basements and small clubs, honing their live energy amid the Midwest DIY circuit.[24] By 2018, with members graduating and seeking broader opportunities, the band began transitioning toward a Chicago base, playing farewell shows in Madison before relocating together that summer—a move that paved the way for their next EP, Big Day.[25][26]
Moveys and breakthrough (2019–2021)
In 2019, Slow Pulp released their EP Big Day on May 15 as a self-released project, featuring four tracks including "Do You Feel It" and "New Media."[27][28] The EP garnered early streaming attention on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, contributing to the band's growing online presence and leading to their recognition in music outlets.[1] This momentum facilitated a pivotal shift, as Slow Pulp announced their signing with the independent label Winspear in February 2020, transitioning from DIY releases to more structured professional support.[29][30]The band's debut full-length album, Moveys, was recorded starting in spring 2019 but completed remotely in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with members contributing from isolation.[31][32] Guitarist Henry Stoehr handled production, engineering, and mixing, drawing on the group's collaborative songwriting to capture raw emotional layers. Released on October 9, 2020, via Winspear, the 10-track album explores themes of isolation, anxiety, loneliness, and mental health struggles, reflecting the personal and global disruptions of the era.[9][1] Key singles such as "Idaho" (released July 8, 2020) and "Falling Apart" highlighted these introspective elements, earning critical praise for their blend of indie rock energy and vulnerability.Following Moveys, Slow Pulp achieved initial national recognition through their first headlining tour in fall 2021, navigating COVID-19 restrictions with limited capacities and safety protocols.[33] The tour, announced in June 2021, marked their debut live performances of album material across North America, supported by emerging acts like Girl K and Mamalarky.[34] In June 2021, they also issued the Deleted Scenes single via Winspear, featuring reimagined versions of Moveys tracks "At It Again (Again)" and "Iowa," presented as acoustic reinterpretations from the album sessions.[35][36] This release, later issued on limited-edition 7-inch vinyl in October 2021, underscored the band's ongoing evolution during a period of constrained live activity.[37]
Yard and recent activities (2022–present)
After the release of Moveys, Slow Pulp navigated ongoing personal challenges stemming from lead singer Emily Massey's September 2019 diagnosis with Lyme disease and chronic mononucleosis, as well as family hardships including her parents' car accident in March 2020, which prompted a period of recovery and introspection in 2022.[1][38][39] These experiences shaped the introspective and vulnerable lyrical themes of isolation, acceptance, and emotional healing that would define their next project.[40]The band signed with the indie label Anti- Records on February 27, 2023, marking a significant step toward wider distribution and international reach.[41] Their sophomore album, Yard, followed on September 29, 2023, comprising 11 tracks produced by guitarist Henry Stoehr.[42][11] Leading singles included "Doubt" (July 2023), "Slugs" (June 2023), and "Broadview" (August 2023), which highlighted the album's blend of slacker rock energy and themes of recovery. The record built on the foundational introspection of Moveys, evolving into a more mature exploration of personal growth amid adversity.[40]To support Yard, Slow Pulp embarked on an extensive North American tour in fall 2023, featuring headlining dates and support from acts like Babehoven, followed by European legs and additional U.S. shows through 2024.[43] In February 2024, Massey discussed the album's isolation motifs during an NPR World Cafe interview, emphasizing how seclusion during writing fostered its raw emotional depth.[40] Tour performances that year drew praise for their high-energy delivery and intimate connection with audiences, as noted in reviews of sold-out shows like the November Thalia Hall gig in Chicago.[44][45]In 2025, the band performed at Northwestern University's Dillo Day festival on May 17, captivating a large lakeside crowd with their dynamic set.[46] On January 31, they released a deluxe edition of Moveys via Winspear, marking the album's fifth anniversary with bonus tracks, a KEXP session, and the Deleted Scenes material.[14] They also opened for Lucy Dacus's Forever Is a Feeling Tour in September, including dates in St. Louis on September 15 and other U.S. cities.[47][48] As of November 2025, Slow Pulp has not confirmed a third album, though ongoing activity suggests continued momentum.[49]
Artistry
Musical style
Slow Pulp's music is primarily rooted in indie rock, incorporating elements of shoegaze, grunge, and lo-fi aesthetics, characterized by fuzzy, distorted guitars, reverb-drenched vocals, and propulsive rhythms that blend hazy introspection with melodic drive.[50] The band's sound often alternates between shimmering, atmospheric layers and raw, buzzing energy, creating a textured palette that prioritizes emotional resonance over intricate arrangements.[51] This core style evokes a sense of vulnerability, with driving mid-tempo grooves underscoring themes of personal doubt and resilience.[52]The band's sonic evolution traces from the garage-inflected rawness of their early EPs, which leaned into a poppy strain of shoegaze with intimate lo-fi production, to the more refined and atmospheric polish heard on their full-length albums Moveys (2020) and Yard (2023).[53] Initial releases featured DIY recording techniques, such as sessions in remote cabins that captured a scrappy, unpolished edge emphasizing texture through down-tuned guitars and sparse acoustics.[1] By Moveys, self-production introduced a hazy, downcast vibe with alternating grungy riffs and triumphant piano, while Yard transitioned to professional studios for a warmer, more embracing sound that integrates shoegaze-tinged country rock and '90s alt-rock grit without sacrificing openness.[51] Throughout, the focus remains on sonic texture—fuzzy power chords, pedal steel, and harmonica—over structural complexity, allowing space for emotional depth.[52][54]Central to this style is the integration of lyrics with music, where frontwoman Emily Massey's introspective and vulnerable vocal delivery—marked by a breathy, magnetic moan that conveys quiet resilience—floats over mid-tempo grooves and fuzzy backdrops.[51] Her warm, unaffected phrasing often pierces through reverb-heavy mixes, blending exhaustion and sincerity to heighten the songs' relational and self-reflective themes.[54] This approach fosters emotional accessibility, drawing parallels to contemporaries like Alvvays in their balance of melodic immediacy and moody introspection.[53]
Influences and songwriting
Slow Pulp's musical influences draw heavily from 90s alternative rock and shoegaze, with guitarist Henry Stoehr citing My Bloody Valentine as a key inspiration for the band's textural guitar layers and dreamy atmospheres.[55] Frontwoman Emily Massey has highlighted the impact of 90s and early 2000s artists like Garbage, Liz Phair, and Smashing Pumpkins, which contribute to the group's slacker indie aesthetic and raw emotional delivery, while influences from Third Eye Blind and Death Cab for Cutie add layers of introspective, relationship-driven depth.[55][56] Massey's early exposure to Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette also shaped her songwriting style, emphasizing confessional lyrics and alt-rock energy.[57]Since joining the band in 2016 and taking on lead vocal and songwriting duties with the release of EP2 in 2017, Emily Massey has driven much of Slow Pulp's creative output, often starting with guitar chord progressions to which she adds melodies and lyrics drawn from personal experiences.[58][59] Her writing frequently explores themes of mental health, such as anxiety and loneliness on Moveys (2020), isolation during the pandemic era, and gradual recovery and self-acceptance on Yard (2023).[60][1] Recurring motifs of relationships and personal growth underscore the band's catalog, reflecting Massey's vulnerabilities without rigid structures.[61]The songwriting process is inherently collaborative, with band members contributing to arrangements through shared demos and iterative refinements, while Stoehr oversees production to refine the sound.[62][15] The COVID-19 pandemic amplified this dynamic, as Massey composed initial demos in isolation—such as retreating to a Wisconsin cabin for Yard—before remote exchanges with the group fostered deeper emotional openness.[15][40] Without formal formulas, the band emphasizes evolving rough ideas through repeated playtesting in live settings to ensure organic flow and communal resonance.[63][64]
Personnel
Current members
Slow Pulp's current lineup consists of Emily Massey on lead vocals and guitar, Alex Leeds on bass and backing vocals, Teddy Mathews on drums, and Henry Stoehr on guitar and production.[1] The band has maintained this core configuration without changes since late 2016.[24]Emily Massey joined Slow Pulp in late 2016 as the frontwoman, bringing her experience from the Madison music scene, where she previously fronted the bedroom pop band Modern Mod.[65] As the primary songwriter, she crafts the band's introspective lyrics and melodies, often drawing from personal vulnerability, and frequently represents the group in media interviews.[66]The rhythm section features founding members from the band's 2015 inception in Madison, Wisconsin. Alex Leeds, who studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides bass lines and backing vocals while contributing to song arrangements.[16] Drummer Teddy Mathews, a childhood friend of Stoehr from elementary school, delivers the band's driving rhythms.[1] Guitarist Henry Stoehr, another founding member with an engineering background, handles production duties, including engineering and mixing their debut album Moveys (2020) and co-producing their follow-up Yard (2023).[67][68][69]All four members relocated to Chicago in 2018, where they continue to be based and collaborate closely.[63] The band formed initially as a trio without Massey before her addition solidified their sound.[65]
Former and touring members
Slow Pulp originally formed as a trio in Madison, Wisconsin, consisting of Alex Leeds on bass, Teddy Mathews on drums, and Henry Stoehr on guitar, who had been playing music together since childhood.[1][15]Emily Massey joined the group in late 2016 as vocalist and rhythm guitarist, solidifying the core lineup that has remained intact since.[24]There have been no major departures from the core membership, with the band emphasizing its long-term stability in various interviews.[16] For live performances, Slow Pulp has occasionally incorporated additional musicians; guitarist and keyboardist Javier Reyes of Post Animal has served as a touring member since at least 2023, contributing to shows during the promotion of their album Yard.[70][71]
Discography
Studio albums
Slow Pulp's debut studio album, Moveys, was released on October 9, 2020, through the independent label Winspear. The record, produced by band member Henry Stoehr, was largely recorded remotely amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with band members contributing from separate locations across the United States.[60] Clocking in at 26 minutes, the album features 10 tracks that blend indie rock with shoegaze elements, capturing themes of personal growth and introspection.
The album's lead single, "Idaho," was released on July 8, 2020, followed by "Falling Apart" on August 11, 2020, both gaining traction in indie circles and helping establish the band's presence during a period of limited live performances.[51][72]A deluxe reissue of Moveys, titled Moveys (Deluxe Edition), was released on January 31, 2025, via Winspear, adding 7 bonus tracks including live recordings and outtakes, for a total of 17 tracks.[14]The band's sophomore effort, Yard, arrived on September 29, 2023, via Anti-, marking their major-label debut. Produced collaboratively by the band with additional engineering support, the 10-track album expands on their sound with fuzzy guitars, introspective lyrics, and varied instrumentation, including banjo and harmonica on select cuts.[73] It was recorded after a period of lineup changes and personal reflection, emphasizing emotional depth in relationships and self-doubt.[40]
Yard achieved modest commercial success, debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and peaking at No. 10 on the UK Official Record Store Chart.[74] Singles like "Cramps," "Slugs," "Doubt," and "Broadview" drove increased streaming visibility, contributing to the album's broader reach in the indie rock landscape.[75]
Extended plays
Slow Pulp's early extended plays established the band's foundational sound, evolving from instrumental experiments to vocal-driven indie rock compositions. Their debut EP1, self-released in 2015, consisted of five tracks recorded as a trio and characterized by raw, lo-fi demos that showcased the group's initial instrumental focus without prominent vocals.[19][30] The tracks, including "Mind Movies," "Bad Kids," "Killing Time," "Paper Dreams," and a bonus cut, captured the Madison, Wisconsin-based outfit's nascent garage and noise influences in a stripped-down format.[76]Building on this, the band expanded to a quartet with the addition of Emily Massey on guitar and vocals just prior to EP2's release on March 9, 2017, also self-released and featuring six tracks.[69] This EP marked the introduction of Massey's vocals, shifting toward more melodic and introspective songwriting while retaining a restless, lo-fi aesthetic across 17 minutes of material.[1][30] Songs like "Brett Favre," "Bundt Cakes," "Die Alone," "Husband Pillow," "Houseboat," and "Preoccupied" highlighted sticky hooks and emotional undercurrents, gaining organic traction through online sharing despite minimal promotion.[22]By 2019, after relocating to Chicago, Slow Pulp self-released Big Day on May 15, serving as a transitional release that bridged their EP era to full-length albums with polished production and thematic maturity.[1] The four-track EP, recorded at a cabin in Michigan, included "Do You Feel It," "New Media," "High," and "Young World," emphasizing dreamy indie rock elements and the band's growing cohesion as a live act.[27]In 2021, via the Winspear label, the group issued Deleted Scenes on June 30 as a two-track 7-inch single reimagining outtakes from their debut album Moveys, offering alternate takes that stripped back the original arrangements for a more intimate feel.[36] The release featured "At It Again (Again)," a reworked version of "At It Again," and "Iowa" (an alternate take), providing fans with deeper insight into the creative process behind their breakthrough material amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[36][37]
Singles
Slow Pulp's singles have played a key role in building their audience, often serving as lead tracks for their albums and EPs while achieving notable streaming success. Early releases like "High" from the 2019 Big Day EP marked their breakthrough, garnering significant online attention with over 256,000 YouTube views shortly after release.[77][78]In 2020, ahead of their debut album Moveys, the band released "Idaho" on July 8 and "Falling Apart" on August 11 as promotional singles that highlighted their dreamy indie rock sound and contributed to the album's anticipation. "Falling Apart," in particular, became an early streaming favorite, praised for its comforting, weighted-blanket-like quality and lyrics evoking restful imagery.[79][80]The band's 2023 singles from Yard further solidified their rising profile. "Cramps," released February 27, announced their signing to Anti- Records. "Slugs," released June 28, served as the lead single, accompanied by an official music video directed by Jakob Lazovick and Rich Smith, capturing the song's summery romance theme.[81][82][83]"Doubt," the second single from Yard, arrived on July 25, offering a hooky meditation on insecurity that resonated widely in indie circles.[84]"Broadview," released August 22, functioned as a promotional ballad with country influences, featuring pedal steel and harmonica for a weepy Americana vibe.[85][86]In 2024, Slow Pulp released the non-album single "Hanging By A Moment," a cover of the Lifehouse song, on April 16.[87]
Title
Release Date
Album/EP
Notes
High
April 19, 2019
Big Day
Early streaming hit from debut EP.
Idaho
July 8, 2020
Moveys
Lead single for debut album.
Falling Apart
August 11, 2020
Moveys
Promotional single with strong streaming performance.
Cramps
February 27, 2023
Yard
First single announcing Anti- signing.
Slugs
June 28, 2023
Yard
Lead album single with official video.
Doubt
July 25, 2023
Yard
Second single focusing on self-doubt themes.
Broadview
August 22, 2023
Yard
Promotional ballad with country elements.
Hanging By A Moment
April 16, 2024
Non-album
Cover of Lifehouse song.
Reception
Critical response to Moveys
Moveys received generally favorable reviews from music critics upon its release in October 2020, earning a Metascore of 74 out of 100 on Metacritic based on six aggregated reviews.[88] The album was praised for its emotional depth and concise songwriting, which captured personal struggles amid adversity, helping establish Slow Pulp as a rising presence in the indie rock scene.[89]Pitchfork awarded Moveys a 6.8 out of 10, commending its vulnerability in exploring themes of depression and relationships, with reviewer Julia Gray noting how Emily Massey's lyrics trace "the longing, the pursuit, the letdown, and the recovery," supported by engaging textures like spiraling riffs reminiscent of shoegaze influences from artists such as Alex G.[51] Paste Magazine gave it an 8.1 out of 10, highlighting the album's timeliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, as its creation involved remote collaboration amid lockdowns and personal upheavals, resulting in a "vividly realized debut" that blends shoegaze elements with folk undertones for a sense of bold exploration.[89]The Line of Best Fit rated the album 8 out of 10, emphasizing Massey's introspective lyrics on mental health and self-growth, particularly in tracks like "Idaho," where she details the emotional challenges of accepting love, describing the record as "crafted through lead singer Emily Massey’s own personal health struggles... tinged with a sense of self-growth."[90] Following its release, Moveys marked Slow Pulp's breakout moment, positioning the band as an emerging indie favorite through its catharticresonance during a chaotic period.[9]A feature on GRAMMY.com further underscored the album's themes of serenity amid chaos, detailing how it emerged from Massey's battles with depression, Lyme disease, and the pandemic's disruptions, offering a tranquil indie rock sound that processes mental health struggles into moments of acceptance and resilience.[91]
Critical response to Yard
Yard, Slow Pulp's second studio album released on September 29, 2023, via Anti- Records, received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional depth, sonic versatility, and maturation in songwriting compared to the band's debut Moveys, earning a Metascore of 77 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 13 aggregated reviews.[92] Reviewers praised the album's ability to blend indie rock with elements of folk, grunge, and pop, creating a cohesive yet diverse listening experience that explores themes of self-reflection, nostalgia, and personal growth. Paste Magazine highlighted Yard as a "genuine level up," noting its catchier hooks and introspective qualities, with tracks like "Slugs" standing out as an indie rock hit that balances approachability with abrasive edges.[93]Critics frequently commended specific songs for their evocative lyricism and instrumentation. For instance, "Broadview" was lauded across multiple outlets as a highlight, described by Americana Highways as a "gorgeously sad song" evoking Neil Young's Harvest-era melancholy, complete with harmonica, banjo, and pedal steel. Third Coast Review echoed this, calling it their favorite track and emphasizing the album's expansion into genre variety, including grunge and country influences, which contributed to its status as one of the year's best indie rock records. Distorted Sound Magazine appreciated the album's emotional range, from heavier tracks like "Cramps" that deliver "gut punches" through self-acceptance themes to softer, reflective pieces, awarding it an 8/10 for its clever writing and broad appeal.[42][94][95]While overwhelmingly positive, some reviews noted minor shortcomings. Third Coast Review critiqued the closing track "Fishes" as feeling "half-baked" musically despite its strong lyrics on self-worth, leaving a sense of emptiness. Square One Magazine expressed a desire for more of the band's raw, noisy "bubblegrunge" energy seen in tracks like "Worm," rather than the prevalent stripped-back style, though they still rated it 4/5 stars and one of the year's top albums for its lyrical prowess. POST-TRASH emphasized the album's sentimental journey culminating in optimism, positioning Yard as an accessible entry point for fans of similar acts like Momma and Soccer Mommy, with no major flaws identified. Overall, the critical consensus positioned Yard as a triumphant sophomore effort that solidifies Slow Pulp's place in the indie scene.[94][96][97]