Never Enough

This follow-up to 2021’s breakthrough GLOW ON finds Baltimore hardcore quintet Turnstile at a crossroads. The level of visibility it brought was unusual at this level for any rock band in the 2020s. Founding guitarist Brady Ebert left in its wake. Turnstile’s music has become further away than ever from hardcore orthodoxy, and on first listen, NEVER ENOUGH sounds unsure of itself and at times like a retread of past glories. But the album’s array of strengths is revealed after multiple listens. After it sinks in, NEVER ENOUGH evokes a meditative state, luxuriating in ambivalence, grief and uncertainty. Tracks like “SUNSHOWER” and “LOOK OUT FOR ME,” structured as a punk-inspired first half and a second that heightens ambience and electronics, pull into focus and sound deliberate rather than meandering. Album highlight “LIGHT DESIGN” does both simultaneously, riding waves of modulated guitar to a post-hardcore dream pop hybrid. Turnstile appears not to know where to go, but fuels some of their best music with that doubt, and standing still is working out fine for the moment.