Launder’s John Cudlip is a student of the sound — melodic, textured guitar music — and a believer that, when honest and real, it can enthrall and facilitate catharsis. After nearly three years, sixty demos and signing to Ghostly, Launder’s full-length debut is Happening. 

The past few years Cudlip has fully immersed himself into writing and arranging an overflow of ideas. While embracing sobriety, he’s redirected his once-destructive addictive tendencies into studio craft — all his thoughts and resources lobbed into gear, every lyric, buzz, hiss, and hum of this record became his entire world. The resulting set sprawls across a double LP release; it’s a considered beast of a debut and he’s proud of it, living with it, finally. Through its thirteen songs, Happening is timeless, grappling with something bigger than just melody, the cathartic and the tender, indebted to indie rock greats while informed by modern and prudent self-reflection.

Now he’s released two new singles both co-written with DIIV’s Zachary Cole and Colin Caulfield: “Unwound” the album’s opener and self-deemed as arena rock, is built on soaring, cheery hooks which contrast Cudlip’s darker lyrics about a character struggling with addiction; “I’m half asleep, quickly fading, From your street, into the pavement”.

One of the shortest and sweetest songs on the album “Chipper” channels woozy downcast guitar phrasing with clear-eyed pop directness. Its succinct structure attests to both brash confidence and an aloof curtness. It is a love song written with smite, an indictment of fleeting lust.

“I feel like I’ve evolved into a much more self-reliant writer compared to the EP and 7-inch releases but I couldn’t have made this record without the band,” Cudlip reveals. “The songs came to life in the rehearsal space with them, it was like a light switch went on.” To record the album, Cudlip and collaborators — including Chase Meier (bass), Bryan DeLeon (drums), Nathan Hawelu (lead guitar), French artist Soko (who takes the lead vocal duties on “Become”) — joined co-producer, engineer, and mixer Sonny DiPerri (My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails, DIIV) at New Monkey Studio, the vintage analog/modern digital recording studio in Van Nuys, California once owned by Elliott Smith.

Where debuts often feel full of rough-hewn potential, Launder has crafted a deeply honed collection that is happening right now. A process-oriented album, the work of a person maturing with their art, the sound of a songwriter pushing through their limits with thrilling and anthemic outcomes.

Happening sees its release July 15 via Ghostlyacross all digital retailers and vinyl format. To pre-order or pre-save, go here.

Photo Courtesy: Cameron McCool