If you are a fan of indie pop in the vein of Snail Mail, I think you will really like “Wheel” by Living Hour. On my first listen I was struck by a similarity between Living Hour singer Sam Sarty and Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan, but, considering Living Hour released their first song (an inspired The White Stripes’ cover, “In The Cold, Cold Night”) two years before Snail Mail ever performed, that’s just a lucky coincidence. In any case, “Wheel” is an absolute bop. An indie emo pop bop, if you will.
Living Hour knows how to build a wall of sound. Their upcoming album, Internal Drone Infinity, lists a minimum of three instruments for each musician, with most having five or more; that’s a total of twelve separate instruments, including vocals, with most credited to multiple members. A lot is happening, and on “Wheel” Living Hour layers all of these sounds seamlessly. With no introduction, the song begins with Sarty’s voice, smooth and tinged with melancholy, singing evocative lyrics that hint at betrayal. The chorus is highlighted by the interplay between the vocals and lead guitar; everything on “Wheel”, from the performances to the production, is truly top-notch.
“Wheel” is one of my favorite types of songs, the kind that pairs darker lyrics with a happier instrumental. (Ever notice it’s rarely the other way around?) Although my initial impression leaned towards Snail Mail, after multiple listens (made easy by the tidy 2:27), I can hear a sardonic tilt and style that reminds me of prime Liz Phair. It’s an exciting first single for a new album. “Wheel” is available now on Bandcamp, and the album releases October 17, 2025. Based on this single, I will eagerly await the album.
Written by Dylan Steele
