REVIEW: Letting Go, Rock-n-roll.biz
/May 6, 2026 | Northern Wanderer
Deardarkhead Ushers in Bold New Era, Unveiling “Letting Go” Single
New Jersey alternative rock band Deardarkhead return with “Letting Go,” a powerful new single that introduces their forthcoming album The Pendulum Swings. Built as an instrumental anthem, the track is driven by soaring guitar leads and melodic bass hooks, reflecting themes of growth, transformation, and the courage to move beyond old patterns into new directions.
“Letting Go” unfolds like a finely aged wine finally uncorked—rich, layered, and carrying decades of craft in every note, revealing new depths with each listen. It’s an elegant but powerful statement, where Deardarkhead distill experience into something both refined and intoxicating, setting a high bar for The Pendulum Swings.
At the heart of “Letting Go” is a sense of evolution, both musically and personally. Guitarist Kevin Harrington describes it as “a song about growth… about change… letting go of old ways… taking a new direction and knowing that it’s going to be right.” Drummer Robert Weiss adds that the piece began as a piano composition by Harrington before expanding into a full-bodied arrangement. The track is further enriched by keyboardist Joe McGinty—known for his work with The Psychedelic Furs, Nada Surf, Ryan Adams, and Deborah Harry—whose contributions add depth, atmosphere, and texture.
Deardarkhead’s current lineup features Kevin Harrington on guitar, Robert Weiss on drums, and James Malizia on bass. Malizia joined the band in August 2024, taking over from Brandon Howard, who had participated in recording the album. This iteration of the group continues a long-standing evolution that began after the departure of vocalist-bassist Michael Amper in 2009. Since then, Deardarkhead have fully embraced instrumental composition, allowing melody, tone, and texture to replace traditional vocals.
Emerging from the Atlantic City, New Jersey scene in 1988, the group took its name from Samuel Ferguson’s 19th-century Irish poem “Cean Dubh Dilis,” inspired by a striking dark-haired figure, a reference that reflects their long-standing focus on atmosphere and emotional tone as much as musical direction. They blend dreamy pop, shoegaze, and ethereal guitar textures. Across almost forty years, they have established themselves as a distinctive force in alternative music, sharing stages with artists including Supergrass, The Psychedelic Furs, Everclear, Nothing, and The Lilys, and earning a reputation for deeply immersive, emotionally charged live performances.
he Pendulum Swings album marks the band’s sixth recording and second full-length album, capturing a period of renewed experimentation and refinement. Produced, engineered, and mixed by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey—whose credits include The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, Sharon Van Etten, and The Dead Milkmen—the album was recorded at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia. Mastering duties were handled by Grammy-nominated engineer Joe Lambert, known for his work with Animal Collective, Blonde Redhead, Beach House, M83, Wild Nothing, and Thievery Corporation.
Spanning ten instrumental tracks, the album explores a wide emotional and sonic range. From expansive, psychedelic-leaning guitar anthems to driving post-punk rhythms and more abstract ambient passages, the record forms a cohesive yet dynamic whole. Deardarkhead continue to push their instrumental approach forward, incorporating elements such as drum loops, unconventional time signatures, ebow techniques, bass VI, and layered guitar arrangements.
Throughout their career, the band has maintained a strong independent spirit. They have released five recordings on their own Fertile Crescent Records, with additional appearances on numerous indie compilations in the United States and Japan. In 2011, Captured Tracks issued Oceanside: 1991–1993, a retrospective of their early material as part of the Shoegaze Archives series. The band later joined Saint Marie Records in 2015, releasing the critically acclaimed Strange Weather EP in 2016.
“Letting Go” is now available across major platforms.. Meanwhile, The Pendulum Swings is open for pre-order (out July 10 in multiple formats, including CD, digital, and 180-gram vinyl).
CREDITS
Kevin Harrington – guitars (all tracks) and bass VI, ebow & bass (track 10)
Robert Weiss – drums & percussion
Brandon Howard – bass (tracks 1-9)
Joe McGinty – keyboards (track 6)
Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia, PA
Produced, engineered & mixed by Brian McTear & Amy Morrissey
Mastered by Joe Lambert
Cover photography & design by Robert Weiss
Video directed and edited by William Murray
Band photos by Mike Maney
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR