Corey Flood

There’s a vague sense of unease that permeates Corey Flood’s debut full-length, Hanging Garden, out September 4th via Fire Talk. Born in Philly circa 2017, Corey Flood began as the post-grad bedroom project of bassist Ivy Gray-Klein (formerly of Littler) and drummer Juliette Rando. A month after their first show with guitarist Em Boltz, the band signed with New York’s Fire Talk Records and turned four planned demos into a full-fledged, delightfully menacing debut EP. Now, after two years of intense growth and collaboration, the trio continues their “whirlwind trajectory” with the long-awaited, nine-track LP, Hanging Garden.

Inspired by <a href="spotify:artist:5xU5wRTlZHVRoo2OxPvqA4" data-name="Throwing Muses">Throwing Muses</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7mefbdlQXxJVKgEbfAeKjL" data-name="Helium">Helium</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0WY2ddzQUF9eh16GiqrElA" data-name="Pale Saints">Pale Saints</a>, and Brix Smith-Start’s work with <a href="spotify:artist:6WoTvA9qinpHtSRJuldYh6" data-name="The Fall">The Fall</a>, Gray-Klein calls Hanging Garden “a reckoning with internal discord.” Through soft melodies, lush guitars and churning rhythms, the dual vocals of Gray-Klein and Boltz recall relatable experiences with gaslighting, imposter syndrome, and repetitive thoughts. Hanging Garden feels intimate and familiar but is strewn with playful surprises, like 70s krautrock guitar work and samba-influenced drum parts. Hanging Garden is a mature stride forward, and a bewitching amble towards the unknown.

Photos by Marcus Maddox and Pamela Ayela