''Versions of Modern Performance'' is the debut studio album by the American rock band

Horsegirl Horsegirl is an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band members are Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece. The group is currently signed to Matador Records. Biography The group originated in 2019 and they self-released the ...

. It was released on June 3, 2022 via

Matador A bullfighter (or matador) is a performer in the activity of bullfighting. ''Torero'' () or ''toureiro'' (), both from Latin ''taurarius'', are the Spanish and Portuguese words for bullfighter and describe all the performers in the activit ...

Influences

The group was influenced by

Sonic Youth Sonic Youth was an American rock band based in New York City, formed in 1981. Founding members Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals), Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar) and Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of the b ...

Yo La Tengo Yo La Tengo (YLT; Spanish for "I have her") is an American indie rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan (guitars, piano, vocals), Georgia Hubley (drums, piano, vocals), and James McNew ...

Stereolab Stereolab are an Anglo- French avant-pop band formed in London in 1990. Led by the songwriting team of Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier, the group's music combines influences from krautrock, lounge and 1960s pop music, often incorporating a repetit ...

and other 1990s indie bands while writing the album.

Writing and recording

The album was written while the members of Horsegirl were in high school and recorded during the summer of 2021 at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois with John Agnello.

Steve Shelley Steven Jay Shelley (born June 23, 1962) is an American drummer. He is best known as the longtime drummer of the alternative rock band Sonic Youth, for whom he played from 1985 until their 2011 disbandment. Biography Shelley was born in Midland, ...

is credited for auxiliary percussion on "Billy" and

Lee Ranaldo Lee Mark Ranaldo (born February 3, 1956) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, guitarist, writer, visual artist and record producer, best known as a co-founder of the alternative rock band Sonic Youth (guitar and vocals). In 2004, ''Rolling ...

is credited for guitars on "Beautiful Song".

Singles and promotion

The first single, "Billy", was released on November 16, 2021. The album was announced on March 9, 2022 along with the single "Anti-glory". Two more singles, "World of Pots and Pans" and "Dirtbag Transformation", preceded the album's release. The band headlined a tour in Europe and the UK followed by a tour in the United States during the summer of 2022. The band performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2022, for the first time.

Critical reception

Versions of Modern Performance was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its reminiscent 1990s indie rock sound. The album appeared on multiple year-end lists and was named album of the week by

Stereogum ''Stereogum'' is a daily Internet publication that focuses on music news, reviews, interviews, and commentary. The site was created in January 2002 by Scott Lapatine. ''Stereogum'' was one of the first MP3 blogs and has received several award ...

upon its release.

Track listing

Note: On vinyl, "Electrolocation 2" precedes "Anti-glory".

Personnel

* Gigi Reece – drums, tambourine * Greg Calbi – mastering * John Agnello – production, mixing * Lee Ranaldo – guitar on "Beautiful Song" * Nora Cheng – guitar, bass

Bass VI The Fender Bass VI, originally known as the Fender VI, is a six-string electric bass guitar made by Fender. Design concept and history The Fender VI was released in 1961 and followed the concept of the Danelectro six-string bass released in 195 ...

, vocals * Penelope Lowenstein – guitar, bass

, vocals * Steve Fallone – mastering * Steve Shelley – auxiliary percussion on "Billy"

References

{{Authority control 2022 debut albums