Tracey Nelson's Debut Album Hercules Blends Indie-Rock with Country Roots
Austin Noll, the New York City-based singer-songwriter behind the project Tracey Nelson, is set to release his debut full-length album, Hercules, this July. The album marks a significant evolution from his self-titled 2025 EP, which was praised as one of the year's hidden gems with its sparkling, winsome indie-rock sound reminiscent of classic antipodean jangle bands like the Clean, Twerps, and Dick Diver.
From EP to Album: Expanding Musical Horizons
Noll's EP featured tracks such as New Years Flowers and Just Shoot Me Now, showcasing his talent for bright melodies and self-deprecating one-liners. With Hercules, he pushes his songwriting into rootsier territory, amping up the country elements while maintaining his indie-rock foundation. The album is released on Perennial, an imprint of the beloved Olympia, Washington label K Records, known for recent releases by garage rockers Sharp Pins and the amorphous Los Angeles band Dummy.
Collaborative Production and Performances
Co-produced by North Carolina musicians MJ Lenderman and Colin Miller, Hercules benefits from a stellar lineup of performers. This includes Lenderman and Miller alongside Landon George, Wednesday's Karly Hartzman, Xandy Chelmis, Ethan Baechtold, and former Hotline TNT guitarist Jack Kraus. This collaboration gives Noll and his band more space to breathe, resulting in tracks that amble in a dazed, friendly manner, perfectly timed for a summer release.
Track Highlights and Musical Style
Songs like Two Feet and St John's River exemplify the album's laid-back, genial vibe. The lead single, Hercules, serves as a warm spotlight for Noll's warbling, characterful voice, with lyrics such as "I'll carry you with me wherever I go" delivered with a sense of adoration and affirmation. The album deftly balances melancholy and geniality, establishing Noll as an unshowy songwriter with a deeply clarified sense of self.
This Week's Best New Tracks
In other music news, this week's standout tracks include:
- Pozer – Hulk Hogan (ft AJ Tracey): Croydon MC Pozer delivers social realism over Jersey club beats, with AJ Tracey adding an excellent verse.
- Zoh Amba – Another Time: Free jazz saxophonist Zoh Amba explores Appalachian roots with indie rock, backed by Jim White on drums.
- One Leg One Eye – Many Are My Names Besides: A haunting track from George Brennan and Lankum's Ian Lynch, blending drone and distorted wailing.
- Enter Shikari – Dead in the Water: A highlight from their new album Lose Your Self, mixing rave-rock with elements of Everything Everything and the Prodigy.
- James K – Peel (Loidis remix): A 14-minute microhouse remix by Huerco S, perfect for beach sunsets.
- Ambrose Akinmusire and Mary Halvorson – Soundcheck: A skittish play between trumpet and guitar, creating an unsettling yet engaging sound.
- Max F – Dream Channel (Space Ghost Club Remix): A piano-centred house instrumental ideal for warehouse raves.
Listeners can subscribe to rolling playlist selections on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal to explore these and other new tracks.
