The New Loud, the debut full-length record from Washington’s own Babes In Canyon, draws eloquently from the palettes of moody folk and synth-heavy pop to present a sound both eminently engaging and very much of the moment. Around luminous vocals swirl neon-flecked echoes of 1980s radio, while meticulous touches of mandolin flit about the firelight. Lush and astutely layered, what began as an exploration of the outer edges of Americana has evolved into a cohesive, enchanting artistic statement.

Born of a spontaneous writing session during a winter storm, veteran singer-songwriter Nathan Hamer (founding member of indie-pop band Kuinka) and wife Sophia found themselves stranded in a remote cabin. “We started playing music by firelight to calm our nerves,” says Nathan. “By the end of the night, we had our first song for Babes In Canyon.”

Hitting the road with their debut EPs Second Cities & Year To Live for a spate of tours, festivals, and live performances, the duo refined their layered soundscapes, “looping keys, beats, percussion effortlessly in an electric, raucous live performance” (Atwood Magazine). That time spent on the road allowed the band to further refine their sound, leaning into the elements that made their live shows electric: heavy beats, layers upon layers of harmonies, and buzzy synth lines floating on an atmospheric bed of strings. Their experimentation on stage emboldened them to explore atypical song structures, and long-form poetic lyrics that tell a larger story over the course of an album.

The New Loud was written in an old 1950’s cabin on the Washington coast in the middle of the winter. Isolated and with minimal access to technology, the band spent their days walking on the rainy beach and through the coastal forests. They wrote and recorded all night long, with gale-force winds whistling through the walls, as inspiration struck. “We spent this time devoutly focused on going inward, using nature as inspiration to find a way to tell personal stories that people can connect with” says Sophia.

Bones of the record in hand, the duo returned to the small recording studio they’d built at their rural Washington farmhouse. Jerry Streeter (Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers, Vance Joy) joined them to help engineer and mix the record. “The farm and the natural environment where we live became characters on the album, and we spent multiple sessions grabbing field recordings to mold and distort into the new songs” explains Nathan. “Tractor engine revs, pond splashes, metal gates clanging, and a chorus of tree frogs are all there to be discovered.” Michelle Nuño provided additional bass, and Matt Bishop (Two Door Cinema Club, The Beaches) mastered the tracks.

The New Loud is an immersive listening experience. Put the record on and find yourself on a long drive away from the chaos of the everyday. “We hope people find solace, and maybe that feeling you get when you’re having a deep conversation with a friend you trust” says Sophia. “We want to provide a vibe and a soundtrack for life.”

With their first two EPs and latest single receiving praise from the likes of Under The Radar, Magnet, and Atwood Magazine, Babes In Canyon’s debut album “The New Loud” is set to release September 19, 2025. Genre-defying, expertly arranged, and profoundly catchy, Babes In Canyon stands ready to soundtrack your adventures - spontaneous or otherwise.