Alicia Gaines, Brian Cundiff, and Sophie Sputnik, make up Ganser, an alternative-post-punk band out of Chicago. Their new single “Black Sand” explores the uncontrollable spread of emotions, rumors, and harmful ideologies, emphasizing how ideas can effectively take root and evolve. The three-piece have released a slew of singles, EPs, and two albums since their conception in 2016. “Black Sand” comes ahead of Ganser’s upcoming third full-length album, Animal Hospital, which will be out later this summer.
Alicia’s commanding vocals in the song center your attention in the midst of a chaotic backdrop of noisy guitars. There’s a pertinent energy to the track that brings you right up to speed with the level of frenzy that the band are playing at, immediately immersing you in the song’s momentum. Like the power of a contagious idea, “Black Sand” spreads with an unstoppable force, building intensity through its driving rhythm and urgent lyricism. As the band leans into their signature blend of post-punk tension and timely lyricism, the track sets the tone for Animal Hospital, an album that promises both raw emotion and sonic unpredictability.
“When I wrote these lyrics a few years ago there were wildfires, real ones. And a lot of talk around LGBTQ rights in Florida where I’m from. And it’s strange because these things, they don’t just go away. They linger. They shift. They burn, and then they burn differently. And here we are still talking about wildfires and LGBTQ rights in Florida.
And the thing about language—about ideas—is they’re alive. That’s why people get scared of them. Because once they’re out, you can’t get them back in the box. They spread like smoke under a door. Can’t be held still. That’s the power, and also the danger.“
-Alicia Gaines of Ganser
“Black Sand” is released ahead of Ganser’s upcoming album, Animal Hospital, out August 29th via felte. Pre-order available here.
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