Inside Joke by nightshades

"Nightshades’ second full-length album, ‘Inside Joke’ represents a natural and dramatic evolution for British Columbia’s genre-defying “super-group”. Following last year’s shimmering debut album ‘Reducer’, the four-piece (Andrew Judah, Common Fires, DL Ranney, N. Sherman) pivot into multi-pronged musical exploration: pairing patented instrumental intricacy and harmony with an increased sense of urgency and deeply expressive groove. From the post-punk, barn-burning intensity of ‘Kill the Gods’, ‘Echosound’, and ‘Animal’, to the needle-drop snappiness of ‘Orpheus’, ‘Apology’, and ‘See That Bear’, ‘Inside Joke’ contorts itself into diverse shapes with impossible fluidity and confidence.

With ‘Inside Joke’, nightshades celebrates two and a half years together. Despite their discography now showcasing 37 total songs, to use the word “prolific” would do the instrument-swapping quartet a disservice: ‘Inside Joke’ is not just the latest storied chapter in nightshades’ short history—it is Canada’s most-undefineable band moving forward beyond self-discovery and stepping into true creative actualization.

nightshades is a collaborative indie rock band, featuring four esteemed Canadian songwriters (Andrew Judah, Common Fires, DL Ranney, and N.Sherman). In a Beatles-esque timeshare of accessible, vibrant music; nightshades' sound is rich with psychedelic flourish, but anchored in melodic hooks and pop sensibility.