Philadelphia-based alternative/post-rock band HIROE have officially announced their highly anticipated sophomore effort, ‘Wield’, set for release on June 20 via Pelagic Records (envy, mono, Oh Hiroshima, pg.lost, The Ocean…). Arriving three years after their acclaimed debut record, ‘Wrought’, the new album builds upon the band’s signature cinematic soundscapes, promising an even more expansive and immersive listening experience.
Guitarist Eric Kusanagi describes ‘Wield’ as an exploration of sonic depth and emotional intensity.
“We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record. You’ll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up,” he says, hinting at the textural richness that listeners can expect.
Next to the official announcement, HIROE have unveiled two striking new tracks—“Tides” and “Dancing at the End of the World”—each accompanied by a visually compelling music video that deepens the emotional and sonic narrative of the album. “Tides” stands out as a powerful statement: an exhilarating, unrelenting composition anchored by a towering guitar motif that swells and recedes like the ocean itself. Beneath its weight lies a driving urgency, marking a bold return for the band and their first new material since 2022’s ‘Wrought’ record.
The first glimpse into this debut effort came with the release of « Tides », a track the band describes as a collision of force and resistance and evolving at the interestction of post-rock intensity and alternative-rock vibes, somewhere between Caspian, God Is An Astronaut, Lost In Kiev, Mogwai, Russian Circles, pg.lost or Deftones, Thrice and Sunny Day Real Estate.
“The intention for Tides was to evoke aural imagery akin to an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object. There’s an undercurrent of frustration woven into the song—it serves as a metaphor for the very universal human experience for us all: the constant challenges, both monumental and mundane, that we all face in a struggle to exist.”
The accompanying music video, directed by Luigi Florente, visually captures the song’s cinematic scope and brooding energy.
Just a couple of days later, HIROE followed up with the hauntingly beautiful Dancing at the End of the World. In contrast to the visceral intensity of Tides, this track is a meditation on resilience.
“Though seemingly contrasting, ‘dancing’ and ‘the end of the world’ are brought together to symbolize our shared human capacity to transform pain and vulnerability into something profound and meaningful. It’s a conscious choice to find light in darkness and not be consumed by despair—even when it feels like the end of the world.”
The video, co-directed by Anna Stills and Eric Kusanagi, brings this defiant optimism to life through poetic visuals.
On ‘Wield’ out June 20, 2025, on Pelagic Records with pre-orders are available now, Hiroe is poised to make a commanding entrance into the post-rock scene, blending emotional heft with sonic ambition. These two initial tracks are just the beginning of what promises to be a deeply immersive debut.
…Tracklist…
- 01 The Calm
- 02 Tides
- 03 Collider
- 04 Dancing At The End Of The World
- 05 The Crush
- 06 i’ve Been Waiting For You All My Life
