Photo: Lauren Kallen

The Barr Brothers are back with their long-awaited fourth full-length LP, Let It Hiss, due on October 17, on Secret City Records. The impending 10-track collection chronicles a period of revision and transformation that allowed Brad and Andrew Barr to refine their pursuits and vulnerably channel their musical bond as brothers and creative accomplices. The group shares the album’s title track as an initial preview of their latest chapter in the studio.

Let It Hiss expands on Brad and Andrew’s intimate musical connection, reaching a state of introspection on the necessary changes to redirect their artistic focus. “In 2022, we found ourselves at a breaking point,” Brad says, “It was clear something had to change. The real story of this record is the story of that change and everything that came after.” 

Andrew adds, “Let it Hiss is what happened when we stopped pretending everything was fine and finally listened to what was actually going on.” Rather than start with sound, the brothers opted for truth, recognizing their personal strife and creative blockage to break habits, surmount tensions and grief, and ultimately achieve growth. 

“It just felt right,” Andrew says of the defining moment. “To leave the hiss in. The discomfort, the imperfection, the struggle. We stopped trying to clean it all up. That’s when the music started to breathe again.”   

The lead single derived from an extended jam session featuring Brad’s blown-out, visceral guitar, complemented by Andrew’s stable groove and impeccable count. According to the official press release, after observing a light buzz via the guitar monitor during playback, the duo let it ride, embracing others might consider an “imperfection” and evoking the shibboleth, “let it hiss…”

The forthcoming LP arrives after the success of the band’s previous full-length release, 2017’s Queens of the Breakers. 

In addition to announcing the impending record and sharing their first single, The Barr Brothers will announce a headlining tour supporting their latest creative endeavor. 

Pre-save Let It Hiss. Listen to the lead single below.

Let it Hiss Tracklist

  1. Take it From Me
  2. Let it Hiss
  3. English Harbour
  4. Run Right Into It
  5. Moonbeam
  6. She Doesn’t Sleep with the Covers On
  7. Naturally
  8. Owning Up to Everyone
  9. Another Tangerine
  10. Upsetter