Turnstile's World Domination Continues on "NEVER ENOUGH"

Written by Gianna Cicchetti

Graphic by Rebekah Witt

Watching Turnstile’s ascension into rock royalty following their 2021 record GLOW ON has been nothing short of exciting. The band whose hardcore classic, Nonstop Feeling, was plastered all over my high school Tumblr dashboard has since taken the throne as one of the most beloved rock bands of the decade, with arena tour support slots, Taco Bell syncs, and countless other “We made it” moments to boast. With GLOW ON setting the stage for a new chapter for the Baltimore band, and the mainstream-ish possibilities of hardcore in general, Turnstile continues on a similar path with their latest record, NEVER ENOUGH, released on June 5. Here, the band carefully tows the line between accessible alt-rock and their loud, raucous roots, succeeding some times more than others. 

With similar sky-themed album covers and aesthetics, it seems that NEVER ENOUGH is a direct sequel to GLOW ON, and the record makes it clear from the jump that Turnstile views the sky as their limit. After it warms up for a minute, the title track on NEVER ENOUGH is triumphant, kicking right into a bolstering mix of headbang-inducing drums and guitars. One of the standouts of the album comes immediately after this: “SOLE.” It’s modern Turnstile at some of their best on a track that could easily have been featured on GLOW ON as well; frontman Brendan Yates opts for his more melodic vocals, but still, the track is propelled by a fast-paced, moshable whirlwind of beats.

Any Turnstile record is a fun listen, but some of NEVER ENOUGH lacks a bit of the grit and memorability that made its predecessor so beloved and replayable. The first half of the record can get a little one-note at times with a very similar vocal delivery and atmospheric alt-rock vibe. At the same time, there are some moments on the record that showcase the modes in which the band really shines. Take “BIRDS,” for instance, which begins in a truly classic Turnstile lane and shifts gears into a bouncier outro that’ll make you want to jump right into a packed, sweaty crowd. The record’s longest track, “LOOK OUT FOR ME,” seems unassuming, as it opens with a Police-esque pastiche (between this song, “SEEIN’ STARS” also on this record, and everything Mk.gee is doing, we might need to declare “Sting Summer”) but gets right to the crux of the album’s recurring themes of isolation and insecurity. Outside of these pre-released singles that hit hard, “SLOWDIVE” and “SUNSHOWER” also see Turnstile mastering the perfect balance of urgent performance and vulnerability that has helped them transcend the underground and into something bigger.

NEVER ENOUGH puts listeners in the backseat of Turnstile’s joyride and makes them bear witness to all the highs and lows that come with it. Even with some of the record’s flaws, the essence of Turnstile is still very much present, and the authenticity they carry has made a continuing impact on the scene at large. After seeing footage of the band’s sold-out album release show under the K Bridge in Brooklyn, it’s thrilling to even imagine setting foot at a Turnstile show in the near future—as said on GLOW ON, “You really gotta see it live to get it.”