Can't Get Enough

Welcome back to Finetuned! We have a fking banger for this fine Wednesday. This week is all about Turnstile! This group rips, always has, probably always will.

Who Are Turnstile?

Turnstile is an American hardcore punk band formed in 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Known for their high-energy live shows and genre-blurring sound, the lads came into existence through vocalist Brendan Yates, guitarist Brady Ebert, bassist Franz Lyons, drummer Daniel Fang, and guitarist Sean Cullen (later replaced by Pat McCrory). Emerging from the DIY hardcore scene, Turnstile quickly gained a reputation for their anthemic choruses and infectious grooves, with early releases like Pressure to Succeed and Step 2 Rhythm EPs establishing them as a force within the modern hardcore movement.

Over the years, Turnstile has evolved their sonic identity, incorporating elements of alternative rock, funk, and psychedelia without abandoning their hardcore roots. Their breakthrough album, Glow On (2021), was widely acclaimed for its bold experimentation and emotional resonance, earning them critical praise and a broader audience. With a commitment to positivity, community, and innovation, Turnstile continues to push boundaries and inspire fans across the punk and mainstream music worlds alike.

What To Expect Sonically

Turnstile’s NEVER ENOUGH, our rec today, marks a bold and fluid step forward, expanding their hardcore foundation into a rich, immersive soundscape. The homies still knows how to spark a pit, but this time they just as often pull you into hypnotic grooves and shimmering textures that pull you into an open headspace. Anchored in melodic hardcore and alternative rock, the album layers in lush synths, dream pop flourishes, Latin percussion, and even flute and horn solos. Tracks like Look Out for Me and Dull pulse with atmosphere, while Light Design nods to the sleek, gated-reverb drums of ’80s new wave - think Stewart Copeland with a modern edge. The result is a sonic palette that’s wider, deeper, and more dynamic, offering new ways for the band’s energy to land.

At the emotional core of NEVER ENOUGH is a sense of space and introspection. Brendan shifts between melodic croons and controlled aggression, delivering vocals that feel more personal and textural than ever before, to be honest. The band’s signature urgency remains, but now it breathes just a bit more, allowing both cathartic bursts and moments of genuine beauty. Collaborations with Hayley Williams, Dev Hynes, Shabaka Hutchings, and BADBADNOTGOOD further stretch the album’s boundaries, adding soulful, jazzy layers that elevate the experience beyond its hardcore roots. Ultimately, NEVER ENOUGH feels like a band unbound all the while still maintaining communal spirit and raw power, while confidently exploring new emotional and sonic territory.

Never Enough Jammin’

Listen friends, this album is so fire. I’ll briefly cover the lyrical themes here, then we jump into jammin’. This record really leans inward, trading overt political commentary for a more personal, emotional lens. The album navigates themes of connection, self-reflection, longing, and resilience. Brendan’s delivery amplifies this dynamic: at times tender and melodic, at others raw and forceful.

Across the record, there’s a recurring sense of searching, for meaning, for release, for a place within the chaos, which mirrors the album’s expansive, shape-shifting sonic landscape. It’s a collection of songs that invites both movement and introspection, resonating equally on the dance floor and in headphones. Just get stuck in!

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