Ohio’s own The Laughing Chimes are back with a hauntingly beautiful sophomore album, Whispers in the Speech Machine, set for release on January 31 via Slumberland Records. The album’s first single, “High Beams,” arrives with a mesmerizing video that draws you into the Chimes’ unique world—a blend of Southern Gothic moodiness and jangly, infectious pop. With pre-orders now available on splatter vinyl and cassette, fans can secure a piece of what promises to be one of indie pop’s standout releases of the year.
On Whispers in the Speech Machine, the young sibling duo, Evan and Quinn Seurkamp, bring their evocative sound to new depths. These eight tracks reflect their Ohio roots and a refined style that walks the line between light and shadow, drawing as much from the rust belt’s atmosphere as from the classic Paisley Underground and Flying Nun influences. Each song shimmers with that jangly, reverberant guitar style that feels both nostalgic and fresh, while the lyrics paint a portrait of Southeast Ohio’s haunting beauty—a region steeped in Appalachian echoes and ghostly towns.
Evan Seurkamp explains it best in a recent interview with The Big Takeover: “Southeast Ohio is the foothills of Appalachia, so it has this indescribable mood and atmosphere. Sometimes there’s a haunting weight of decay you want to escape, but at the same time, there is some strange romanticism surrounding ghost towns.” This sentiment pulses through Whispers in the Speech Machine, giving it a distinct regional flavor and an atmospheric edge.
If their debut album, In This Town, introduced us to The Laughing Chimes, then Whispers in the Speech Machine shows their evolution into true artists of their sound—shaping music that feels like it’s reaching across time and space. With its release, The Laughing Chimes are poised to capture listeners, offering up an album that’s as enchanting as it is unforgettable.