In 2013, Blue Smiley officially formed in Brian Nowell and John Slavin’s rodent-infested North Philadelphia apartment. With Nowell primarily composing from the hammock he used as a bed, Blue Smiley created three short recordings within a year, featuring drummers Gracie Clements, Tim McMonigle, and Joe Veltri. Matt McGraw, drummer and childhood friend of Slavin’s, later joined the group to galvanize a sound that helped define Philadelphia indie rock of the 2010’s. Blue Smiley’s first professionally recorded album ok released in 2015, featuring dystopian noise-pop compositions with fuzzy effects, unique for its focus on groove and precipitous tempo changes. Slavin then relocated to Austin, TX while close friend and bassist Michael Corso joined Nowell for the next iteration of the group. True to the Blue Smiley ethos, their next full-length return soon followed, replete with snappy, short songs that waste no time getting to the point. On return, Nowell’s hushed vocals settle deeper into the band’s tapestry, like an iridescent thread that catches your eye at just the right moment. During their last tour, the band introduced a handful of new songs, but never made it to the studio. While celebrating his upcoming 27th birthday with his parents, Nowell expressed his intentions to put these tracks together for a third LP. Tragically, Nowell was found unresponsive in his room the following morning on October 8, 2017, a victim of fentanyl poisoning. In spite of the band’s premature ending, their legacy is now immortalized with this physical recording.
Release date:
November 10, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Vevor Ultrasonic Cleaner
Thoroughly clean and restore your vinyl records, removing dust, dirt, and grime from every groove without damaging the surface
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Arm's Length There's A Whole World Out There
Pure Noise Records
August 8, 2025 -
Nailed to Obscurity Generation Of The Void (Clear, Light Rose & Black Marbled) [2xLP]
Nuclear Blast
September 5, 2025 -
The Sound Of Animals Fighting The Maiden (Bone)
Born Losers Records
October 3, 2025 -
White Lies Night Light
Pias America
November 7, 2025 -
Jerskin Fendrix Once Upon A Time. . . In Shropshire [2xLP]
Untitled (Recs)
October 10, 2025 -
Fuerza Regida 111XPANTIA
Sony U.s. Latin
August 22, 2025 -
Ethel Cain Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You [2xLP]
Amigo Records, LLC - AWAL
August 8, 2025 -
Arjen Anthony Lucassen Songs No One Will Hear [2xLP]
Inside Out Music
September 12, 2025 -
Gwenifer Raymond Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark
We Are Busy Bodies
September 5, 2025 -
Kerosene Heights Blame It On The Weather (Blue Bone Splash)
Sideonedummy Records
August 15, 2025 -
Nine Inch Nails TRON: Ares Soundtrack (White) [2xLP]
The Null Corporation/Interscope
September 19, 2025 -
The Last Dinner Party From The Pyre (Purple)
Island
October 17, 2025 -
Nick Drake The Making of Five Leaves Left [4xLP]
Island
September 26, 2025 -
Robert Jon & The Wreck Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes (Crystal Clear)
Journeyman Records
August 22, 2025