Returning after four years, Los Angeles indie-pop band Massage unveil Coaster, a luminous 10-track album steeped in melodic depth and emotional honesty. Widely recognized for their infectious pop sensibility, the five-piece—Andrew Romano (guitar, vocals), Gabi Ferrer (keyboard, vocals), Alex Naidus (guitar, vocals), David Rager (bass), and Natalie de Almeida (drums)—approach the turbulence of adulthood through shimmering pop songs that capture both nostalgia and growth.

Drawing inspiration from The Cure, Big Star, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Go- Betweens, Massage now transcend their influences, offering a sound that’s uniquely their own. Coaster is a testament to the band’s evolution—embracing the “inbetween,” writing pop songs that linger.

Coaster marks a new chapter for Massage, shaped by major life changes: near loss in wildfire, health scares, and newfound parenthood. The album resonates with themes of acceptance and maturity—embracing change, rediscovering hope, and realizing you’re not always the center of the universe. These shifts are woven into the record, giving it depth and emotional honesty.

Working with producer-composer Andrew Brassell, Massagt crafted the album at their Glassell Park space, bringing freedom and creative experimentation to the sessions. The band’s open approach is clear in the sonic variety: “Daffy Duck” bursts with maximalist synth-pop energy, while “No North Star” offers intimate, orbiting arpeggios and a searching sense of direction. “Hang On to that Feeling” unfolds with lush acoustics and delicate Wurlitzer keys, while “After All” closes the record with a cathartic, heartsick duet, culminating in an explosion of melody and noise.

What makes compelling is how three musicians take on writing and vocal duties, leading to stylistic shifts between tracks while maintaining a cohesive, signature sound. Across the record, the band’s lyricism explores the messiness and resilience of adulthood—resolving to keep moving forward, even when life is uncertain. The recording process mirrored these themes: a willingness to make mistakes, hit reset, and chase down the unique world within each song.

This is the soundtrack of five friends navigating life’s unpredictability together. Their chemistry and shared history create moments of spontaneous brilliance— whether in the driving interplay between guitars, the pulse of vintage effects, or the heartfelt harmonies threading the album. Coaster is more than a collection of standout pop songs; it documents growth and camaraderie, bridging nostalgia with honest self-reflection and crafting melodies that linger long after the final note.

1. No North Star
2. Daffy Duck
3. Without Your Love
4. Hang On to that Feeling
5. When You Go
6. Psychic
7. Fading Out
8. We're Existential
9. Parrots of Rome
10. After All