Portland’s Guitar brings experimental energy to We’re Headed to the Lake
Portland indie rockers Guitar have released their sophomore LP, We’re Headed to the Lake, out now via Julia’s War Recordings. The album showcases a fearless, experimental sound that fuses 90’s slacker rock, post-punk, and beat-driven production.
Produced by: Saia Kuli
Led by songwriter and producer Saia Kuli, Guitar represents the culmination of years of exploration, from Kuli’s early days in Portland’s working-class neighborhood known as The Numbers to forming the band Gary Supply and later joining Nick Normal’s rotating collective. Inspired by beatmakers like MF Doom and Madlib, Kuli combined his love of beats with rock and roll, crafting songs that break traditional band-structured constraints. The first LP, Casting Spells on Turtlehead, introduced Guitar’s unique meld of modern shoegaze and punk, but with We’re Headed to the Lake, Kuli takes a bold step further.
The album leans into the melodic, jangly chaos of 90’s alternative, with nods to Teenage Fanclub, Guided By Voices, and Weezer. Tracks like ‘The Game Has Changed’ warp memorable hooks with oblong riffs and atonal harmonies, while ‘Every Day Without Fail’ balances triumphant, head-bobbing rhythms with unexpected hardcore breakdowns. ‘Chance to Win,’ featuring Kuli’s wife, offers a lush, orchestral dreamlike quality, adding emotional depth to the record. With twelve tracks in total, the album delivers densely arranged, inventive songs that feel both immediate and expansive, providing a hopeful, melodic counterpoint to an often dark world.
We’re Headed to the Lake is a vivid, exhilarating statement from Guitar, marking the arrival of a band fully confident in their sound and vision, and a record that promises to resonate long after the final note fades.
Standout Songs: ‘Chance To Win,’ and ‘The Game Has Changed.’
Release Date: October 10, 2025
6.7
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