Austin-based band Font released their debut album Strange Burden on July 12th. Though the album has a few rough edges, it’s brimming with energy, experimentation and a raw sense of potential. It’s a debut record that showcases a band still finding their footing, but in doing so, they offer intriguing glimpses of what they might become. The trial and error of Strange Burden often results in moments of brilliance, signaling a bright future for Font.

The album opens with a striking track that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the project. It begins with a mesmerizing arpeggiated synth line that gradually gives way to a slow, steady build of thumping kick drums. As the rhythm intensifies, the guitars slowly creep into the mix, echoing the drum pattern with a few well-placed stutters and stops. The tension builds until it finally reaches a peak, where the lead singer’s voice comes crashing in with a force that demands attention. His vocals are reminiscent of Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill — gritty, powerful and full of conviction. Though I hesitate to quote the lyrics without absolute certainty, the message is delivered with the kind of confidence that makes one stop and listen. As the track shifts into double time, the energy lifts, creating a driving momentum that pulls the listener in before a slow, reflective bridge brings the song back down, allowing space for contemplation. This track alone serves as a microcosm of the album’s strengths, blending dynamics, texture and raw emotion into an immersive experience.

The standout track, “Hey Kekulé,” comes in at the second slot, bursting with infectious indie rock energy. With a catchy guitar riff that immediately lodges itself in your brain, it’s a feel-good anthem that has quickly become a personal favorite. There’s something irresistible about the groove of this track — the kind of song that, once it plays, one can’t help but hit repeat. The mix of catchy melodies and tight instrumentation make it an undeniable highlight of the album.

What makes Strange Burden particularly interesting is the way each song feels distinct, while still maintaining the cohesive atmosphere of the album as a whole. Each track brings its own mood and tempo, allowing the album to explore different sonic spaces while still staying grounded in Font’s overall sound. Track 4, “It,” revisits the thumping kick drum of the opener, but this time with a melodic synth line woven into the fabric of the song, giving it a unique identity within the project. It’s a fine example of Font’s ability to take familiar elements and rework them in new and interesting ways.

Then there’s “Sentence I,” a track that feels like a loving homage to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. From the first few seconds, the opening riff conjures up the ghost of John Frusciante, as if he were in the room with them, laying down those signature guitar licks. There’s a funky, rhythmic energy to the song that adds a playful edge to the album, and it’s easy to hear the Chili Peppers’ influence, but Font adds enough of their own flavor to make the track feel fresh.

The album closes with “Natalie’s Song,” a beautifully crafted indie rock tune that doesn’t try to overdo it. Instead, it focuses on creating a rhythmic push and pull, with peaks and valleys that allow the song to breathe and evolve naturally. The emotional highs and lows of the track encapsulate the album as a whole —an ebb and flow of energy that keeps you engaged right until the very last note. It’s a perfect conclusion, leaving you with a sense of closure while also hinting at the potential for even more growth from the band in the future.

In all, Strange Burden is an exciting debut, filled with moments of experimentation, strong musicianship, and enough flashes of brilliance to make a listener eager for whatever Font has in store next. There’s room for refinement, but the heart and soul of the band shine through, making it clear that they are a group to watch closely in the indie rock scene.