Recommended tracks: “SOLE”, “I CARE”, “BIRDS”
Artists you may like: Mannequin Pussy, Scowl, DRAIN
Four years after the release of their critically acclaimed album Glow On, Turnstile returns with their highly anticipated fourth studio album, NEVER ENOUGH. Given how flawless Glow On was, I was a little nervous about how they’d manage to follow it up, but I can honestly say NEVER ENOUGH exceeded my expectations.
Formed in Baltimore in 2010, Turnstile has carved out a unique space in the hardcore scene by blending aggressive punk roots with elements of funk, psychedelia, and alt-rock. Known for their electrifying live shows and boundary-pushing sound, the band broke through to a wider audience with Glow On in 2021, a record that redefined what modern hardcore could be. With NEVER ENOUGH, they continue to evolve while staying true to the energy and spirit that made them stand out in the first place.
The title track kicks off the record, and since it was the first taste of the album we got, I initially wondered if it was the right choice to open with (Spoiler: It absolutely was.) It sets the tone for the entire album, showcasing the band’s range in just one song. If you’re familiar with Turnstile, you know they love making their songs flow seamlessly into one another, and the end of the title track teases that transition beautifully.
That next track is “SOLE,” a song about realizing you don’t need to rely on others for support, you’re better off on your own. It’s emotionally direct, with a driving rhythm that feels built for catharsis. The record leans hard into mosh culture; and honestly, just two songs in, I already knew I needed to see these tracks live and be in the pit for them. There’s a kind of physical urgency in the music that practically demands a live setting: it’s the kind of sound that hits even harder when you’re sweating it out with a crowd, shouting every word back at the band.
The next set of tracks, “I CARE,” “DREAMING,” and “LIGHT DESIGN” are honestly just perfect ear candy. They debuted “I CARE” earlier this week on The Tonight Show, and even from that live performance, I knew it was going to be one I’d have on repeat. Once again, I have to shout out how much I love that Turnstile makes their songs flow so seamlessly into one another. It makes the whole listening experience feel intentional and immersive. Nothing feels out of place, every track fits exactly where it should.
My favorite song on the record is 100% “BIRDS,” one of the promo tracks they dropped before the album came out. I know: why is one of my favorites a song I’d already heard? But seriously, it’s just brilliant. It starts with this slow, steady build, where drummer Daniel Fang is gradually layering in cymbals and cowbell. (Cue Bruce Dickinson saying, “More cowbell!”) And then—BANG—the full band kicks in, and it slams straight into the chorus with this heavy, driving guitar. It’s such a satisfying payoff.
Lyrically, “BIRDS” is a standout. Even though it’s one of the shorter tracks on the album, the lyrics hit hard: “I was told that love and death go hand in hand / When you find is when you understand / And you are free, free, free, free, free, free / No one left to be, be, be, be, be, be / Finally you’re free, free, free, free, free, free / No one left to be, be, be, be, be, be” It’s a liberating track—powerful, emotional—and it’s a reminder that no matter how much Turnstile evolves, they’re never letting go of their hardcore roots.
The album slows down with the last two tracks, “TIME IS HAPPENING” and “MAGIC MAN.” The end of the record feels like a quiet summer drive as the sun dips below the horizon: warm, a little sad, but peaceful. “TIME IS HAPPENING” circles around themes of loss and time slipping away, with lines like “lost my only friend” and “kissed and pulled away” echoing that bittersweet sense of goodbye. Then “MAGIC MAN” comes in like a flicker of hope—“suddenly, a spark in the night when you’re tired of the load”—carrying a kind of dreamy reassurance. Both tracks drip with nostalgia and emotion, closing the album not with a bang, but with something that sticks to your ribs. It’s a high note, just a quieter one.
NEVER ENOUGH feels like the kind of album that meets you exactly where you are whether you’re in a pit screaming your lungs out, driving with the windows down, or just lying in bed with your headphones on. It’s loud, it’s vulnerable, it’s weird in all the best ways. Turnstile somehow keeps evolving without losing what makes them feel so essential. This record doesn’t just hold up next to Glow On, it stands confidently in its own lane. I went in nervous about how they’d top their last album, and came out feeling like they never needed to. They just needed to keep being Turnstile.
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