The Bay Area’s post-punk band Topographies has released their second album, Interior Spring, through Dark Entries on February 2, 2024. Established in San Francisco in 2018 by members Justin Oronos, Jeremie Ruest, and Gray Tolhurst, the band melds the stark riffs and somber tones of early coldwave with the layered richness and warmth of traditional shoegaze. This blend results in a sound that feels both modern and timeless. “Interior Spring” sees Topographies navigating through subjects of guilt, ancestral trauma, and healing. The album’s title unfolds threefold meanings: a hidden river that symbolizes hope, a tightly wound clock reflecting anxiety, and a season that sees wildflowers growing over bygone sorrows. Although Laurence Tolhurst of The Cure’s work notably influences the band, thanks to member Gray Tolhurst, Topographies also draws inspiration from bands like Asylum Party and The Chameleons, particularly evident in standout tracks “Night Sea” and “Chain of Days.” Gray Tolhurst’s lyrics, informed by his personal journey through substance abuse recovery, delve into the repetitive nature of addiction and despair. Across these ten tracks, Topographies aims to convey that true freedom lies not in fleeing but in embracing the everyday beauty of life.