Written By Amara Sorosiak
June 22, 2021
June 22, 2021
The Goalie’s Anxiety At The Penalty Kick Releases Vinyl Pressing of “Ways of Hearing”
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Philadelphia-based emo and indie rock band The Goalie's Anxiety At The Penalty Kick have pressed their debut album "Ways of Hearing" on vinyl through their label, Count Your Lucky Stars Records. Copies went up for preorder and were released on June 11th. Variants include a black and white marble swirl, and an indie-exclusive Coke Bottle Clear pressing.
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The band, sharing a name with the award-winning Peter Handke novel, saw great success with cassette and digital sales, prompting this vinyl release. Their charm comes from a fusion of indie, rock, and emo influences that create a powerful LP doused in melancholy. Though it appears to be a quiet album, it's not gentle. “Ways of Hearing” features robust instrumentation, and a complex wall of sound, with the band’s dual vocalists at the forefront. The vocals are layered on top of each other, yet do not challenge each other, as they both express thoughts of their own, and this remains poignant throughout the record. These tracks will periodically burst into heavy, guitar-driven sections, which keeps listeners on their toes and engaged.
“Ways of Hearing” is deceptive in many other ways as well.
Going into it, one may think it’s your standard indie record, but the record is much more than that. There is inventive instrumentation scattered throughout its 40 minute runtime. “The Cat Stands on My Arm” incorporates a violin into its structure, giving it an orchestral angle. “Winston’s Theme,” an instrumental track, is driven by twinkling keys, which is unconventional for indie and emo. Goalie also utilizes synths, most notably on “Everyone Around Us.” In terms of lyrical content, the album is very reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers, where the narratives are concrete and observational, and inject meaning and emotion into ordinary items and occurrences.
“Ways of Hearing” by The Goalie’s Anxiety At The Penalty Kick is available to buy and stream. Vinyl pressings and merchandise can be purchased through Count Your Lucky Stars Records, or at your preferred indie retailer.
Favorite moments: Jars Filled With Rain, The Cat Stands On My Arm, God’s Country, Closer
“Ways of Hearing” is deceptive in many other ways as well.
Going into it, one may think it’s your standard indie record, but the record is much more than that. There is inventive instrumentation scattered throughout its 40 minute runtime. “The Cat Stands on My Arm” incorporates a violin into its structure, giving it an orchestral angle. “Winston’s Theme,” an instrumental track, is driven by twinkling keys, which is unconventional for indie and emo. Goalie also utilizes synths, most notably on “Everyone Around Us.” In terms of lyrical content, the album is very reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers, where the narratives are concrete and observational, and inject meaning and emotion into ordinary items and occurrences.
“Ways of Hearing” by The Goalie’s Anxiety At The Penalty Kick is available to buy and stream. Vinyl pressings and merchandise can be purchased through Count Your Lucky Stars Records, or at your preferred indie retailer.
Favorite moments: Jars Filled With Rain, The Cat Stands On My Arm, God’s Country, Closer
