B-Side Guys

Minneapolis quartet full catholic returns with “TILT,” a contemplative expedition through existential terrain that somehow feels both intimate and cosmic. The track serves as our first glimpse into their upcoming summer release “things go quiet,” marking a contemplative evolution in their already distinctive sound.

From its opening moments, “TILT” establishes a hypnotic push-pull between restraint and release. The rhythm section creates a deliberate foundation—Des Lawrence’s drums providing just enough structure while leaving negative space for Dani Michaele’s bass lines to become melodic centerpieces rather than mere background elements. This provides the perfect canvas for the intertwining guitar work and synth textures from Lane Miller and John Caldwell that drift and cascade throughout the arrangement.

What’s immediately striking is how Michaele’s vocals navigate multiple registers, beginning with hushed introspection before unfurling into more urgent territory. When she delivers lines like “Don’t we all stare into the sky sometimes,” there’s an invitation to communal experience—questioning not just herself but implicating the listener in this shared human tendency to look upward yet miss what’s directly before us.

The song’s structural intelligence reveals itself gradually. Rather than relying on predictable verse-chorus patterns, “TILT” ebbs and flows organically, mirroring the lyrical exploration of scale—from molecular to cosmic. When the band hits its stride during the “Give me grit, give me grace” refrain, the interaction between instruments creates a momentary harmonic convergence before dispersing back into thoughtful exploration.

Production-wise, “TILT” occupies an interesting middle ground between polish and rawness. The mix allows individual elements room to breathe while maintaining the band’s self-described “beautifully messy” aesthetic. Particularly effective is how the guitars occasionally emerge from the atmospheric haze with surprising clarity before dissolving back into the collective sound.

As an acronym for “truth in little things,” “TILT” serves as both musical and philosophical statement. The band finds profound meaning in overlooked moments—fireflies containing suns, whispers from pre-birth—suggesting that wonder itself might be our most effective defense against spiritual erosion. For a band whose previous work explored collective dreaming across multiple albums, “TILT” suggests their most focused and affecting dream state yet.