Earlier this year, Horsegirl— the New York-via-Chicago trio of best friends Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece—released one of the year’s most lauded releases, Phonetics On and On, via Matador Records. Produced by Cate Le Bon, the album has already landed on mid-year best of 2025 lists from major publications, including Esquire, Stereogum, The Ringer, UPROXX, FLOOD, Paste, Rolling Stone, and more, with the latter crowning album as an “instant contender for any list of great albums.” The band has been touring extensively since the release, recently returning from an entirely sold out, first-ever Japanese tour.
One of the album’s standout songs is the “spare and stunning” (The Ringer) ‘Julie.’ Upon its release, Stereogum claimed “songs as great as this one suggest [Horsegirl’s debut] was only the beginning of their ascent.” Now, Horsegirl shine a brighter light on ‘Julie’ with the release of the digital EP, Julie In Twos, and announcement of a physical 7”, ‘Two Julies,’ now available for pre-order. Offering a deeper dive into the album’s centerpiece, the forthcoming physical 7” comprises two demos of ‘Julie,’ while today’s release also includes a demo of ‘In Twos.’
“‘Julie’ had a long evolution with many working versions. We wanted to share some early recordings to provide insight on how much songs evolve during the process of making a record. This song describes the experience of infatuation and uncertainty—vulnerability takes a different shape in each version of the song. It was first written on an acoustic guitar, an instrument which was ultimately eliminated from the final recording. The song’s evolution reflects the playfulness of our recording session with Cate and our growth as songwriters while making Phonetics On and On.” – Horsegirl
Horsegirl – ‘In Twos Demo’ (Official Video)
Stream/Purchase Julie In Twos Digital EP
‘Julie In Twos’ Tracklist
- Julie Demo 1
- Julie Demo 2
- In Twos Demo
Pre-Order ‘Two Julies’ Physical 7”
‘Two Julies’ Tracklist
- Julie Demo 1
B, Julie Demo 2
Watch Horsegirl – ‘Julie’ (Official Music Video)
Watch the Video for Horsegirl – ‘Frontrunner’ (Official Music Video)
Watch the Video Horsegirl – ‘Switch Over’ (Official Music Video)
Watch the Video for Horsegirl – ‘2468’ (Official Music Video)
Praise for Horsegirl and Phonetics On and On
“[A] springy, confidently minimalist sophomore album.” – New York Times
“Phonetics On and On is a compulsively replayable record full of arrestingly catchy, bare-bones songwriting and twee treasures.”– NPR Music
“The beauty of the album is in how every element contributes equally – there are no lead parts and nothing is pushed to the background. Each voice and instrument occupies an equally important place in the mix.”– Wall Street Journal
“Fresh, alive, and reimagined with exquisite taste.” – Vanity Fair
“[Phonetics On and On] has an affinity for stretching the distance between instruments and hypnotically fixating on a single musical element” –Paste, “The Best Albums of 2025 So Far”
“These kids know their history, but man they are very much of the moment.” – Sound Opinions
“Phonetics On and On still brings the noise – and some moments of shredding – but is subtler than the group’s debut, clarifying Horsegirl’s sound and refining its melodies across 11 tracks.”– Billboard
“Phonetics On and On is a home-away-from-home album, capturing all the freedom, uncertainty, and change that comes with the replanting of a flag.”– Pitchfork
“Everything you’re hearing is absolutely necessary and precise […] this sophomore album for Matador Records is a triumph.” – Style Weekly
“You potentially have the finest 1992 album of 2025” – UPROXX, “Steven Hyden’s Favorite Music of 2025 So Far”
“[Horsegirl] have already proven their authenticity; with Phonetics On and On, they move beyond their influences, carving out a distinct identity shaped through time and life experience.” – PopMatters, The Best Albums of 2025 So Far
“[Phonetics On and On] is a beautiful and chaotic coming-of-age story […] a deeply layered album that rewards repeated listens.” – SPIN
“Perfectly-turned playground chants whose seeming stream-of-consciousness is so convincing, I keep replaying them to catch the sleight-of-hand, and because they’re so damn catchy.”— Will Hermes, New Music + Old Music
Purchase/Stream Phonetics On and On
Horsegirl Online
