The debut longplayer from Washington, DC-based Ekko Astral is a complex mesh of bubblegum noise punk and no-wave art rock that holds an elastic space for the knotty, tangled horrors of living in the imperial core. Their songs thrash with intense, necessary defiance against codified gender-based violence, their distortion and sibilance a direct response to the dangers outside our front doors. pink balloons opener “head empty blues” specifically bites back against the terrors of the normative male gaze that dominates so much of American culture. Over a post-punk passage that plays call and response with a wall of harsh noise, frontwoman Jael Holzman belts playfully morbid details of the head-exploding anxieties that haunt her daily: “is it bon eye-ver or bon iver? / i don’t care / i’ve got stalkers outside / not going out tonight / gonna sit and take pics / in my underwear.” Holzman formed the band in 2021 with best friend Liam Hughes (guitar), and eventually rounded out the band’s lineup with Miri Tyler (drums), Guinevere Tully (bass), and Sam Elmore (guitar). Ekko Astral’s local scene quickly welcomed the band for their wildly fierce live presence, emboldened by the community-building message behind the band’s mascara mosh pit brand. Ultimately, Ekko Astral are here to uplift, a mission exemplified by the frenetic and bewitching pre-release singles “baethoven” and “devorah,” cornerstones of pink balloons in both style and theme. The former serves as a reminder to keep your larger than life personality in a world that wants to downsize you, where the latter proclaims urgent solidarity with missing and murdered people. Such crucial messages of upliftment are the foundation of pink balloons, and, by extension Ekko Astral, whose thrashing debut leaves no stone of solidarity unturned.
Release date:
June 7, 2024
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
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Lany Soft (Maroon)
Hills Artists - Lany
October 10, 2025 -
Hazlett Last Night You Said You Missed Me (Red/Black)
Nettwerk Records
September 12, 2025 -
Ron Sexsmith Hangover Terrace
Cooking Vinyl
August 29, 2025 -
Guedra Guedra MUTANT
Smugglers Way
August 29, 2025 -
Sunniva Hypostasis
Svart Records
September 26, 2025 -
G Flip Dream Ride
Flipo Music Pty Ltd
September 5, 2025 -
Battle Beast Steelbound (Transparent curacao blue)
Nuclear Blast
October 17, 2025 -
The Casket Lottery Feel The Teeth
Iodine Recordings
September 12, 2025 -
Lathe of Heaven Aurora (Blue)
Sacred Bones
August 29, 2025 -
Gruff Rhys Dim Probs
Rock Action Records
September 26, 2025 -
Raekwon THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES OCEAN CRANFIRE
Corey Woods p/k/a "Raekwon"
September 19, 2025 -
I See Stars The Wheel
Sumerian Records
September 12, 2025 -
Julia Wolf Pressure
Many Hats Dist
September 26, 2025 -
Daniel O'Donnell Now & Then (Picture)
Demon / Edsel
October 3, 2025