Track listing: Thorn, Talk to the Hand, Imaginary Friend, Slash and Burn, Kindred Minds, Last Day of the Year, Hidden Path, Bridgeport Shanty, In the Wind, Too Young, Coming Home, Jubilation

Gritty and edgy, akin to a pissed-off Radiohead album. That's the sense you get from the opening strains of "Thorn," the lead track from Last Charge of the Light Horse's new album In The Wind. "Talk to the Hand" continues the spooky, ominous vibe with singer/songwriter Jean-Paul Vest's skulking voice and eerie harmonies. Time signatures sneak past you in the shadows.

Based on Long Island, New York and originally founded in 2004, Vest has assembled a steady 4-piece lineup including drummer Shawn Murray, lead guitarist Bob Stander, and bassist Pemberton Roach. The quartet plays so tightly together. The songs cook in a manner not unlike a jazz quartet--each member bobbing and weaving through one another's parts, creating arrangements that are at once sparse yet complex.

Last Charge is a musician's band. It's a group that, when they play before or after your band on a bill, you watch in awe because this is how it's done. Vest sounds David Byrne, yet also has a soften tone he pulls out from time to time--check the bridge/change-up section in "Imaginary Friend" about 2/3 of the way through.

"Kindred Minds" is the first single off the album and it offers a good taste of what sonic gems the rest of the album has in store for listeners. Compelling. Challenging to the ear. Impressive. While far from pop ear worms, the organic nature of the instrumental tones and rich vocal harmonies will stick with you because of the album's undeniable quality.

Keep up with all things Last Charge of the Light Horse and the album's release on October 5, 2024. Start your deep-dive at lastcharge.com.