Koyal announce vibrant second LP 'breathe in. breathe out' + celebrate friendship & misfortune with "bummer song" + video
INDIE POP/ROCK TRIO
KOYAL
ANNOUNCE JUBILANT, AMBITIOUS
SOPHOMORE STUDIO ALBUM
BREATHE IN. BREATHE OUT
DUE OUT FEBRUARY 28
& SHARE WARM ODE TO FRIENDSHIP & MUSIC VIDEO
"BUMMER SONG"
OUT NOW
LA-via-Atlanta-based pop-rock trio Koyal announce their triumphant, uninhibited second studio album breathe in. breathe out due out February 28 and available for pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the band shares a warm ode to their friendship "bummer song" out now and its light-hearted, wholesome matching video.
The triumphant, glowing forthcoming project, breathe in. breathe out, is a meditation on allowing oneself to break free of fear, resistance, familial expectations, and other obstacles in the way of pursuing authenticity and creating art. Vocalist Pooja Prabakaran is proud to present a project that is both honest and joyful. "I'm so proud of how open, raw, and vulnerable we were in writing this album. It's sure to make people both dance and introspect!"
It was recorded in Philadelphia at Dr. Dog’s rehearsal space and studio, Headroom Studios, co-produced by guitarist Noah Weinstein and Philadelphia-based musician Jeff Lucci (Mo Lowda & the Humble), and engineered by Ian Steinberg, a childhood friend of Weinstein. The group is thrilled to share a body of work that represents who they are today as they chart all new territory, face their fears, take risks and firmly, excitedly introduce themselves.
Weinstein shares, "I’m so grateful to have co-produced this album with Jeff Lucci leading me through new waters, as 'breathe in. breathe out' is by far the biggest record I’ve worked on. It took a lot of meditation to decide the sonic direction of the album, but working with Henry and Pooja, we channeled our shared experiences and tastes to create a signature rich indie pop sound that we are incredibly proud of." There was additional production by Atlanta producer and multi-instrumentalist Tony Doud and Desmond Myers and was mixed by Harper James and mastered by Joe LaPorta.
The latest taste of the project, "bummer song" is an acoustic, cozy, heartfelt track that came about after a failed exam. Written by Henry Wallace (drums) it celebrates the importance of humor and friend’s support in dealing with everyday problems. Written for his bandmates, “bummer song” describes a love that has kept the group tight for years–before and during their move 2,000 miles across the country. Wallace says, "You know that cold, sinking feeling when you step into a puddle in your kitchen and your socks get wet? Either your day is ruined or you laugh it off and put on a new pair of socks — and that’s the ethos of 'bummer song'."
The track's playful accompanying video, directed by William Rowan, follows the three bandmates from the beach to board games at home across New York City. Together, the group celebrates their friendship while taking life's small bummers in stride. Rowan shares, "When I first heard the lyrics, I knew that I wanted to walk the viewer through each and every line as an active participant of the story, almost like a play. I wanted the visual delivery to feel as camp and overtly, satirically literal as the song itself."
Recalling the chaotic, fun-filled filming day as they bounced around the city and a close call with a water snake, Wallace adds, "The video was all filmed in the 48-hour blitz in NY. We ran all around the city–*literally*–running on the Williamsburg Bridge, then to Coney Island, to a cozy house upstate, and then at a lovely park just outside the city. The raft scenes were some of the most precarious...! There was a dangerous algae bloom in the water at the time, and a water snake came right up to our raft! But we had come all that way, so we weren't leaving without that opening shot we dreamed up."
Watch "bummer song" (Official Video)
Koyal is made up of best friends Pooja Prabakaran (vocals), Noah Weinstein (guitar/producer) and Henry Wallace (drums) The band formed in Atlanta in their college basement and, fueled by their tight-knit friendship, have since amassed a loyal following with their genre-defying sound, dazzling instrumentation and relatable lyricism. The group played at Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival this year, and last year, sold out their hometown venue and set out on an East Coast tour. Now, after a string of singles released earlier this year, the trio aims to solidify their place in the rising indie pop/rock sphere with their forthcoming second album, breathe in. breathe out, due out early next year.
The vibrant, uplifting "bummer song" finds humor in misfortune and is out everywhere now. With their splashy, gracious second album, breathe in. breathe out, due out February 28 and available for pre-order now, Koyal navigate all of life's trials and tribulations with the safety and comfort of each other. Connect with the rising trio now on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube and stay tuned for much more to come.
breathe in. breathe out (LP) Tracklist
01. we’re alright
02. gasoline
03. Gravity
04. bummer song
05. alone interlude
06. intoxicated
07. hiatus
08. lotus lake
09. half alive
Koyal Bio
Now LA-based, Koyal is an indie pop-rock trio from ATL on the rise, composed of lead vocalist Pooja Prabakaran, guitarist/producer Noah Weinstein, and drummer Henry Wallace. Formed in their college basement, the trio’s friendship and musical chemistry have propelled them forward, steadily building a loyal fanbase and a diverse discography ranging from soft acoustic to main stage disco-pop. In 2024, Koyal released three new disco and dance-infused singles “intoxicated,” “gasoline,” and “lotus lake,” which are off their upcoming studio album, breathe in. breathe out, set to drop in February 2025.
Recently, the band shared the stage at the 2024 Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival alongside renowned artists such as Barenaked Ladies, Moon Taxi, +Live+, Sister Hazel, Lisa Loeb, and Crash Test Dummies, captivating audiences with their electrifying live performances, infectious melodies, and heartfelt lyrics.
In 2023, Koyal achieved a significant milestone by selling out a headlining show at Atlanta’s iconic venue The Masquerade, and completing their 11-date debut East Coast “Gravity Tour” to promote their dance-pop single, “Gravity.”
