Agnes Uncaged - Cyanotype (2026) Hi-Res

Cyanotype, (produced by John Agnello— Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.— and mixed by Brian Deck— Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine) is a blue impression of white hot moments in youth and early adulthood. The album continues the band’s signature hooky guitar parts and narrative lyricism with a more matured sound. Philosophy Test elucidates an ironic multiple choice exam and explores the dangers of accepting objective truths shaped by men thousands of years ago. Guitars on Paperdoll form a crunchy wall of sound behind a description of a two dimensional relationship. Agnes Uncaged presents a new era with an ambitious record that won’t be pinned down, and doesn’t need to be.

Cyanotype not only sounds like the best bits of alternative rock from the last three decades, but as if we were hearing them for the first time. And that is because there is nothing dated or nostalgic found here; in fact, quite the opposite is true. This sounds like the future rising to greet us. And the future sounds great.

Agnes Uncaged also gives us an album which is, for want of a better word, un-second-guess-able, where even after listening to one track, even that doesn’t give you much of an insight as to what might come next. Take the opening brace of songs: “Paperdoll” steadily grows into a squalling, raw-edged, dense, and guitar-drenched shoegazy soundscape, conjuring a mental note to play your old My Bloody Valentine albums, but that in no way prepares you for the sharp, spacious and visceral guitar lines that “Capricorn” is built on.

Minneapolis-based soft grunge group, Creeping Charlie, led by singer/songwriter Julia Eubanks, is gearing up for the release of their second full-length record, following an explosive first couple years on the scene. Cyanotype, produced by John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile), is an exciting contribution to the group’s already decorated discography, as they maintain their ‘gritty, yet pretty’ guitar-driven sound, while experimenting with new timbres and sonic textures. Eubanks “one of the Twin Cities rock scene's most promising young songwriters.” - Star Tribune displays her lyrical prowess in the record, as she grasps at the non-tangible, counters disappointment with wit, and reveals a love for literature, making references to the work of the late, great American poet, Sylvia Plath.