Since its inception in 2010 as a college project by vocalist/guitarist Adam Intrator, New York-based band Triathalon have been constantly evolving their sound. On the brink of a seemingly major stylistic change, the new singles “RIP” followed by the release of “Down” promise a heavier, grungier, and more technical approach to the band’s signature post-rock sound.
The new track harkens back to previous Triathalon releases with a reverb-saturated lo-fi sound—a dissociating wash of ocean spray on a cloudy day. The lyrics dance around an idealized love that will never be, echoing the sentiment, “You’re always letting me down… / This time I loved someone that I don’t belong to.” Describing an almost detached love that was never meant to be, the sonics and lyrics link up in a melancholy duality that softly remonstrates a love that ended before it even began.
If their first new single “RIP” was built along a bass line that spent years ruminating, “Down” clearly pulls from a largely guitar-focused pool. A shower of completely faded guitar tones provides a backdrop for a lo-fi take on Title Fight-esque riffs. With a completely dejected tone, the song ends in a flourish of pop-tinged autotune, showing the multitude of influences and experimental directions Triathalon is willing to go for on their upcoming album. After hearing the new tracks, I’m super excited for the new material Triathalon is bringing to the table.
Triathalon’s new album Funeral Music drops on May 16th via Lex Records. Stream the new single “Down” below, check out the first heavy single “RIP” on the band’s Spotify, and follow along on their socials.
