Surf into a shoegaze summer with Sainthood Rep’s newest release
The countdown has begun for the debut of Sainthood Reps’ newest album Dull Bliss, set to release on September 26.
The band settles unrestrictedly into a post-hardcore/grunge genre; however, displays a level of admirable fluidity within that niche of music. Their first album released in 2011, Monoculture, was a raw mix of heavy metal and grunge—think Alice in Chains. As the band has grown together, so has their sound, entering shoegaze into their discography.
Sainthood Reps’ newest album Dull Bliss, set to release September 26, 2025.
Now, the band has teased their newest iteration with the collaboration song “Surfer” published early off Dull Bliss. Teaming up with post-rock band Balance and Composure, and produced with Smartpunk Records, the single has been dubbed an “end-of-summer anthem”. The newest release opens melodically into shoegaze. A track of fuzzed guitar and steady drums feed into the yearning first verse:
“In the last days of summer // How deep is your water? // Shallow and gleaming // Is this the end or beginning”.
The punky, dissonant chorus leads to the next verse, sung by Balance and Composure vocalist, Jon Simmons. Through the frontman’s higher voice, clarity emulates into the song, layering in a deeper tonal range to the music. With two distinctly different vocalists collaborating on one song is a subtly conveyed feeling of emotional unanimity and understanding.
Sainthood Reps frontman, Derrick Sherman shared his perspective on the collaborative act, stating:
“When I was writing Surfer, I always heard someone else singing the second verse, so it only made sense to ask my demo buddy [Jon Simmon] to do it. I always admired Erik from Balco’s guitar playing, so I thought it would be fun to get him in the mix as well. They both absolutely crushed it. It was one of the more fun collabs I have been a part of.”
Alongside Surfer, the album will comprise 10 other songs, including the already public “Blue Nothing” and “Dizzy” as well as eight non-released songs. Sainthood Reps are set to play at New York City’s Union Pool on October 10 to celebrate the release of Dull Bliss.
Sainthood Reps are set to play at New York City’s Union Pool on October 10 to celebrate the release of Dull Bliss.
