Chicagos LIFEGUARD release their debut album Ripped and Torn on June 6. The youthful trio of Asher Case, Isaac Lowenstein, and Kai Slater have been making music together since they were in high school, nearly a quarter of their lives. Noisy and immediate, cryptic but heartfelt, they draw inspiration from punk, dub, power-pop and experimental sounds, and bring them all together in explosive inspiration.

Over their two prior summers on Matador, Lifeguards EPs carefully documented the bands early, earnest, studio explorations. But their tremendous live shows, anchored by Lowensteins rock-steady backbeat, hinted that something greater was waiting in the wings. On Ripped and Torn, the barbed-wire sound frames Slater and Cases newly rich two-part harmonies and collagiste lyrics. Producer Randy Randall (No Age) captures a claustrophobic scrappiness that conjures the
feeling and energy of the house parties and live shows, where ears are easily overwhelmed, and ragged improvisations connect with the same force as melodic hooks.

The band remains a singular and intimate space where freedom, noise, and melody find visceral form. The physical element is something were all very together on, explains Slater. The immediacy of making music. The instant pleasure and satisfaction of it.

Tracklist:

1. A Tightwire
2. It Will Get Worse
3. Me and My Flashes
4. Under Your Reach
5. How to Say Deisar
6. (I Wanna) Break Out
7. Like You’ll Lose
8. Music for 3 Drums
9. France And
10. Charlie’s Vox
11. Ripped + Torn
12. T.L.A.

UPC: 191401214513
Label: Matador Records
Release Date: 6.6.25
Format: Vinyl