Brooklyn’s own Sharkswimmer is back to prove that the current rock renaissance has no room for pretenders. With the release of their latest single, “Meticulous Reach,” the quartet offers a visceral preview of their upcoming EP, Course Correcting (via Trash Casual Records), and it is an immediately arresting affair.
Following the success of their debut LP Serenity, the band (composed of Justin Buschardt, Kenny Monroe, Kate Moyer, and Jesse Reed) is pushing into a more confident and emotionally exposed phase. The new track captures the band at their most urgent, blending introspective, melodic post-hardcore with the kind of hook-driven alt-rock that feels both nostalgic and vital.
A “Meticulous” Anatomy of a Collapse
Essentially, “Meticulous Reach” is a song about the early stages of a relationship’s collapse. It centers on the specific brand of paranoia that bubbles over when overthinking takes hold. The band explores that internal spiral where one becomes their own worst enemy, “initiating all this pain” while the other person remains blissfully detached.
The track plays with this tension in a slightly tongue-in-cheek way, punctuated by the stinging question: “And did you notice that you don’t notice anything?”
From the first notes, the single honors the band’s DIY foundations. The gritty guitar intro and loud, banging drums lean heavily into a 90s post-hardcore aesthetic, providing a raw backbone for their melodic sensibilities.
To bring this sound to life, Sharkswimmer collaborated with some of the best in the scene: The track was recorded with Brian Dimeglio, known for his work with Bartees Strange, Pinkshift, and Superbloom, and mastered by Jon Markson, who has worked with Drug Church and Koyo.
The result is a sound that is more direct and fully realized than ever before. This sense of identity is further reinforced by the song’s music video, a natively shot vertical piece. The intentional format choice creates a claustrophobic, internal perspective that mirrors the song’s themes while acknowledging the modern way audiences consume media.
In a landscape that could easily be overcome by cheap imitations, Sharkswimmer stands out by pairing genuine pathos with undeniable pop hooks. They are reclaiming the sense of identity that made rock a potent force in the first place. With Course Correcting on the horizon, the Brooklyn quartet has secured their status as well-deserving heirs to the alt-rock throne.
Listen to “Meticulous Reach” out now on all platforms.
