@ has inked a deal with 4AD for their sophomore album Autosmile. The Philadelphia psych-folk duo released the lead single, a seven-minute acoustic ballad that winds through elliptical verses and meditative passages.
The move to 4AD represents a significant step for the band, aligning them with a label known for cultivating experimental and avant-garde artists. The British imprint, home to acts like Adrianne Lenker and Big Thief, has long championed introspective indie and folk-adjacent work that resists conventional songwriting structures.
The lead single exemplifies @ 's approach: sparse instrumentation, atmospheric production, and lyrical abstraction that rewards close listening. The song eschews traditional verse-chorus-verse frameworks, instead building through accretion and textural variation. This aesthetic positions Autosmile within contemporary psych-folk movements that favor atmosphere and contemplation over accessibility.
@ emerges from Philadelphia's fertile indie underground, a city that has produced numerous experimental acts in recent years. The duo's sound blends elements of folk traditions with psychedelic processing and ambient textures, creating something that feels both rooted in acoustic songwriting and genuinely exploratory.
4AD's roster reflects the label's continued investment in artists working at the margins of indie rock and alternative music. By signing @ for Autosmile, the label demonstrates confidence in the band's vision, suggesting they've identified something genuinely compelling in the group's combination of folk sensibilities and experimental impulses. This pairing should position @ for meaningful attention within the college radio and critical circles that drive word-of-mouth for unconventional indie releases.