Tough Age continue to change shape on their fourth album, Which Way Am I? Drifting into unexplored territories of dreamy guitar workouts while expanding their instrumentation to include flute, synths, and organs, they hit fresh strides on this 11-song set. Side one’s shorter run-times fight against the current with frenetic agitation, while side two’s meditative, melancholy songs welcome death’s sweet embrace. Tough Age’s sound has come a long way from the buzzy bubblegum garage-rock of their 2013 debut. The influence of New Zealand and Australia is still evident, to the point of Clark teasing Samson’s obsession with being signed to Flying Nun on the ripping “Penny Current Suppression Ring.” Yet Tough Age also introduce new colours into their musical palette, from the hooky Television Personalities punk of “My Life’s A Joke & I’m Throwing It Away” to the placid calm of “Repose”. “Possession” welcomes guest musician Claire Paquet on flute, nodding to the twee-pop of Look Blue Go Purple and pastoral textures of early King Crimson. “Patience of Mind” is perhaps the furthest diversion from Tough Age’s original sound, with expansive guitar passages in the tradition of Jim O’Rourke era Sonic Youth. Samson highlights yet another classic American indie-rock band that he credits with the confidence to patiently transform Tough Age’s sound. “Maybe the biggest musical inspiration over the last few albums has been The Feelies,” he says. “Not necessarily in terms of songwriting or feel but in how they evolved and changed during the course of their career”.

“The way they expand on the ‘Pink Frost’ form-concept will make any Kiwi fanatic fill a drool cup in appreciation.” – The Wire

“Perfect guitar pop that feels like both a throwback to the very best of 80s/90s indie rock – from The Bats to The Feelies – as well as a worthy successor to such a legacy.” – Tiny Mix Tapes

For fans of: The Clean, The Feelies, The Bats, Cate le Bon