REVIEW: Letting Go, WoNoMagazine

June 7, 2026 | Wout de Natris

An instrumental track somehow is the hardest to write about for me. Not that I analyse lyrics a lot, it is the layer of how vocal melodies interact with the music, where I often focus my attention on. Deardarkhead is a band from New Jersey, formed in 1988, that in 1998 released its only full length album to date, 'Unlock the Valves of Feeling'. Since several EPs saw the light of day, the last one being from 2016. Since its singer left, the band has become an instrumental outfit and listening to Letting Go focusing on extremely melodic instrumental tracks. Guitarist Kevin Harrington leads the pack with a very clear sound, while never overdoing the number of notes he can squeeze in. This is about melody and not about chops and prowess. He is supported by drummer Robert Weiss and bassist James Malizia, The mortar in between is played by guest keyboardist Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Nada Surf, Ryan Adams and Deborah Harry), who adds just the right texture. It is this combination of musical facts that make me like Letting Go. There will be a full length album, Deardarkhead's second, on 10 July called 'The Pendulum Swings'.

https://wonomagazine.blogspot.com/2026/06/2026-week-23-10-singles-2.html

REVIEW: Letting Go, Skylight Webzine

May 23, 2026 | Billy Yfantis

Kevin Harrington claims that “Letting Go” is “a song about growth…change…letting go of old ways,” with a focus on accepting a new path with confidence and clarity. Keyboardist Joe McGinty, who is well-known for his work with The Psychedelic Furs, Nada Surf, Ryan Adams, and Deborah Harry, joins Deardarkhead to further enhance the song. The production crew, which was recorded at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia, also comprises mastering engineer Joe Lambert, Brian McTear, and Amy Morrissey. Their combined experience adds more detail to the release’s sound. The song begins with vibrant drumming and beautiful, Shoegaze-inspired guitar sounds that immediately bring out a nostalgic atmosphere characteristic of bands like Lush, Slowdive, and the Stone Roses. From the beginning, the composition balances dreamy warmth with a steady rhythm, resulting in a sound that is upbeat. “Letting Go” is an instrumental work that communicates its message purely through melodic expression and mood. The guitars take on the major narrative style of the piece, expanding through dynamic phrasing and layered sounds that create an exploratory and open atmosphere. Rather than remaining static, the arrangement is constantly evolving with small modifications and changing musical patterns. Technically, the performance is very detailed, featuring numerous changeovers and interconnected instrumental components that call for careful attention. These changing patterns correspond to Harrington’s topic of inner development, reinforcing the concept of movement, advancement, and emotional freedom through sound only. Finally, “Letting Go” works as both a nostalgic shoegaze-influenced instrumental and a personal statement about change and rebirth. Its lush guitar work, fluid arrangement, and powerful atmosphere allow for an engaging listening experience that inspires self-analysis and gentle optimism.

https://skylight.gr/index.php/2026/05/23/deardarkhead-letting-go/

REVIEW: Letting Go, The RingMaster Review

May 22, 2026 | Pete RingMaster

Entangled in the Shameless: Part 1 Fascination

With their new album, The Pendulum Swings, waiting in the wings, New Jersey alt rock outfit DEARDARKHEAD have laid down a potent invitation with the track Letting Go. It is the recently released lead single from the FERTILE CRESCENT RECORDS brought full-length, its own unveiling set for July 10th, and a moment of instrumental enterprise that swiftly had ears and the imagination on board.

DEARDARKHEAD consists of guitarist Kevin Harrington, drummer Robert Weiss and bassist James Malizia, a line-up in place from in August 2024, though the upcoming album features previous bassist Brandon Howard. After the departure of its vocalist/bassist Michael Amper in 2009, DEARDARKHEAD became instrumental prominent and grown into crafting tracks that are rich in suggestive storytelling as Letting Go proves. The decades since emerging in 1988, has seen the band share stages with the likes of SUPERGRASS, THE LILYS, EVERCLEAR, NOTHING, and THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS among many, and their new track sees keyboardist Joe McGinty, renowned for his time in the latter band guesting.

Letting Go calmly moves in but quickly spins a web of guitar incitement around rhythmic fertility. It is not so much a trap but an invitation of sound that grows as the band aligns individual enterprise for its contemplation of growth and the strength in embracing change.

As all the best instrumentals, it is a track that presents its own contemplation but leaves plenty of its suggestive canvas free for the listener’s imagination to interpret and cast their own relatable premise while involving them in the allure of spicy grooves and intimate melodies. Letting Go is a richly enjoyable invitation into that upcoming DEARDARKHEAD album too, and we cannot imagine being alone in keenly waiting for that.

https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2026/05/22/entangled-in-the-shameless-part-1-fascination/

REVIEW: Letting Go, Musicngear

May 2026 | Eugenia Roditis

The New Rock Generation - May 2026

Deardarkhead - Letting Go

Even without lyrics, Letting Go says exactly what it needs to. The soaring guitars and melodic bass lines carry this feeling of movement forward, like slowly stepping out of an older version of yourself without looking back too much. A beautiful first glimpse into The Pendulum Swings (out July 10), and proof that instrumental music can hit just as emotionally as any vocal track.

https://www.musicngear.com/blog/new-rock-generation-may-2026