Overview
Prepare to be spellbound. Broncho’s fifth studio album, Natural Pleasure, doesn’t just flirt with greatness—it obliterates boundaries and redefines what an indie rock album can be. This is more than music; it’s an odyssey of sound, a kaleidoscopic dreamscape where lo-fi textures collide with psychedelic wonder. Imagine Radiohead’s Kid A filtered through a haze of pot smoke and reimagined for a generation craving both grit and transcendence. This is an album meant to be savored with headphones, a masterful contender for Indie Rock Album of the Year and a long-playing experience that invites listeners to lose themselves in its rich textures and hypnotic soundscapes.
Broncho has always been synonymous with reinvention, and Natural Pleasure marks their boldest transformation yet. This long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s Bad Behavior dives headfirst into lush, hypnotic atmospheres without abandoning the raw, gritty energy that made them a household name in indie rock. The Tulsa-based quartet—Ryan Lindsey (vocals), Ben King (guitar), Penny Pitchlynn (bass), and Nathan Price (drums)—has crafted a sound that’s as intimate as it is otherworldly, blending introspection with euphoric release.
Since their breakout hit “Class Historian” in 2014, Broncho has been at the forefront of indie innovation, earning accolades from legends like Josh Homme and Jack White. Their music, equal parts gritty rock and dreamy psychedelia, has found its way onto HBO’s Girls, Apple’s Platonic, and FX’s Reservation Dogs, further cementing their status as cultural touchstones. But Tulsa remains their spiritual home, a city whose musical lineage—from Leon Russell and JJ Cale to The Flaming Lips—infuses every note they play.
From the opening tracks, “Imagination” and “Funny,” Natural Pleasure sets the stage for a sonic journey defined by playfulness and introspection. “Imagination” envelops listeners with layered production and Ryan Lindsey’s understated but captivating vocals, pulling them into a dreamy haze of possibility. “Funny” follows with its off-beat charm and infectious groove, encapsulating the duality of introspection and levity that defines the album.
Thematically, Lindsey reflects on love, relationships, and the natural pleasures of life, creating a cohesive yet unpredictable tapestry of sound. Each track is a meticulously crafted world of its own, inviting listeners to lose themselves completely. “I Swear” marries the infectious sing-along energy of their breakout “Class Historian” with a downtempo, more hypnotic pulse. Its instantly addictive “da da da da da” refrain will feel like a homecoming for longtime fans while album closer “Dreamin” transforms from honky-tonk roots into an otherworldly finale, encapsulating the album’s transcendental essence.
Recorded primarily at Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma with Chad Copelin and completed at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, the album balances spontaneity with meticulous craftsmanship. “Get Gone” pushes Broncho’s sound to exhilarating new heights, a late-night anthem designed for sweaty, MDMA-fueled dance floors, festival stages, or even impromptu kitchen discos.
In contrast, “You Got Me” is the album’s most introspective offering, a heartfelt ballad written by Lindsey, who has become a father of two since the release of Bad Behavior. The song is a tender ode to the transformative experience of parenthood, capturing the quiet moments of awe, exhaustion, and love that come with welcoming new life. “I wrote it before I even knew that we were having a kid, and I couldn’t figure out why I wrote it at the time,” Lindsey says. The song is a tender promise: “You got your mom, and you got me,” Lindsey sings. The minimally produced track is as gentle as a lullaby. Its stripped-back arrangement allows the emotional weight of Lindsey’s lyrics to shine, making it a standout moment of raw vulnerability amidst the album’s lush soundscapes.
“Original Guilt” is the oldest living song on the record, one that “didn’t make sense” on previous albums but fits the mood of Natural Pleasure perfectly. “That song was inspired by growing up in a really Christian part of the country, and inheriting a sense of Christian guilt unconsciously,” Lindsey says. The mesmeric closing verses are punctuated by a haunting coo that one might imagine echoing through the rafters of a church. One of Broncho’s most defining features is Lindsey’s unmistakable vocal delivery—a phenomenon in its own right. His lyrics are often enigmatic, delivered in a way that feels like an instrument of pure emotion rather than straightforward storytelling. At first listen, it may be impossible to catch a single word, yet the emotional intensity he summons is undeniable. It’s a rare and uncanny ability, one that connects listeners to the music on a visceral level before the lyrics fully reveal themselves. Over time, repeated listens may uncover fragments of meaning, but the magic lies in how Lindsey’s voice can move audiences without needing to be fully understood. It’s a testament to his singular artistry, instantly recognizable and deeply affecting.
Listening to Natural Pleasure is an experience unlike any other. It’s a sensory journey, a plunge into a dimension where reality blurs into something more fluid and profound. With this record, Broncho reaffirms their status as indie rock’s boldest alchemists, delivering a masterpiece that’s alive, unpredictable, and deeply human. Whether you’re “Dreamin,” “Get Gone,” or swaying to “I Swear,” Natural Pleasure isn’t just an album—it’s a revelation.
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