The Grownup Noise, an indie pop band from Boston, is set to release their new album, No Straight Line in the Universe, on February 7, 2024. This upcoming project marks a significant moment for the band, as it intertwines their present with a historical family legacy. The album features the song “Plaything,” which draws from a poem written by Paul Hansen’s great grandmother, Blanch Marie, over a century ago.
Hansen, the band’s singer-songwriter and guitarist, discovered this poem while sifting through family archives that included journals and old letters. “I’m like the black sheep of all black sheep in my family,” Hansen told the Boston Herald. “Everyone is doing very normal and noble stuff and would ask, ‘Why are you studying music?’ Then I discovered my great grandmother was creative, a poet, a songwriter, a painter.” This revelation inspired him to adapt the poem into a song, ultimately leading to the birth of “Plaything.”
The new track embodies the signature sound of The Grownup Noise—catchy indie pop infused with dark melodic elements. The song features a tender cello line and harmonious vocals that create a blend of sophistication and simplicity. “When I started to write the song, I tried to write it in the style of the 1910s, and it just sounded really corny,” Hansen shared. “Then I tried the poem with a chord progression that I had been messing around with, and I went, ‘Whoa, this works as a modern song,’ and it blew me away.”
Reuniting for New Music
The resurgence of creative inspiration comes at a pivotal time for the band. After releasing their previous work, Lonely Days, in 2020 as essentially a solo project, Hansen found his original bandmates eager to reunite. Cello player Katie Franich returned to Boston after a hiatus, while bassist Adam Sankowski felt ready to revive the old lineup. Drummer Kyle Crane, despite his busy schedule, has also made time for the new music.
Regular meetings among Hansen, Franich, and Sankowski have resulted in a dozen new songs characterized by deeply collaborative arrangements. The band describes this collection as reflective of their growth over nearly two decades since their debut. “We’re old now,” Hansen remarked. “And boring. But we have a lot to say now to each other, and you can hear that in the music.”
Exploring Adult Themes
No Straight Line in the Universe tackles various adult themes, delivering them with youthful energy. The poignant track “We Become Roses” addresses the struggle of supporting friends in difficult times when life’s realities often create distance. “Anxiety” stands out as a hypnotic exploration of dread, combining intertwined vocals from Hansen and Franich with an organic Stereolab-inspired sound.
The album also features upbeat songs that reflect on nostalgia and a grownup perspective. Despite its intricate arrangements and the use of cello, the band maintains their identity as a rock group. Going forward, they plan to incorporate additional musicians for upcoming live performances due to Crane’s demanding schedule.
Hansen expresses excitement for the future, stating, “Once I get new songs, it’s fun to have a place to put them. We’re all dug in here, so there won’t be a large gap between albums like over the past decade.” For The Grownup Noise, the journey from familial history to contemporary expression is driving their creative momentum.
Fans can find more details and purchase tickets for the release party at Deep Cuts on the band’s official website, thegrownupnoise.com. The release of No Straight Line in the Universe promises to be a celebration not only of the band’s evolution but also of the creative legacy that continues to inspire them.
