CD of The Week

Here at Y-Not Radio, we’ve been supporters of Silversun Pickups since the beginning of their career, nearly 20 years ago. The Silverlake-based rockers have mined their mix of ‘90s alt-rock radio and shoegaze-y tones in a variety of ways over time and on their seventh album, Tenterhooks, they’re still exploring different avenues and sonic textures.

Working with iconic producer Butch Vig for the third time, SSPU really highlight their signature sounds throughout the ten tunes found on Tenterhooks. Album opener “New Wave” sets the stage with its epic drumming and buzzing guitar solo. The rocking lead single “The Wreckage” is built on top of a big, pounding bass riff from Nikki Monninger. Nikki also handles lead vocals on the great “Au Revoir Reservoir.” Usually singing backups or in a breathier tone on SSPU songs, you’ve never heard her take the reins and sing this forcefully before the way she does on this ‘80s-inspired track.

The intense, rocking “Wakey Wakey” will certainly wake you up, as all four members of the band are on fire here. Singer/guitarist Brian Aubert shows off how well his distinct playing translates on an acoustic guitar with “Long Gone,” aided by Tanya Haden of that dog fame on the cello.

“Running Out of Sounds,” contrary to the title, certainly isn’t something that Silversun Pickups is doing. And on the rocker “Interrobang,” Aubert pays tribute to one of his most notable forebears with a very Billy Corgan-sounding guitar tone. As usual, Aubert’s lyrics are cryptic, poetic, and elliptical, but there’s certainly a sense of dread and anxiety about the world around us creeping in throughout. The idiom “on tenterhooks” generally means having a feeling of anxiousness about what is yet to come.

Overall, Tenterhooks really highlights the individual work of the four members of SSPU: Aubert’s unique guitar work, complex drum patterns from Christopher Guanlao, Monninger holding it all down with her heavy bass parts, and Joe Lester adding keyboard flourishes throughout. Together, they’ve crafted another recognizable SSPU record that fans will love to sink their hooks into.

Silversun Pickups don’t have a Philadelphia date yet for 2026, but they will be in Harrisburg on May 5th and Asbury Park on May 7th.