No Need To Be Lonely by Gladie

Gladie is a band from Philly that formed in 2020 after Augusta Koch’s previous band, Cayetana, broke up in 2019. Cayetana existed for about 10 years and released two full lengths and 3 EPs. They absolutely ripped, so please check them out as well.

Gladie finds Koch as a more mature and confident songwriter, though the song matter and amazing riffs and melodies remain a staple of her craft. And her voice is just a powerhouse you won’t be able to ignore.

Gladie currently consists of:

• Vocals/guitar: Augusta Koch
• Guitar/Backing Vocals: Matt Schimelfenig
• Drums: Miles Ziskind
• Bass: Evan Demianczyk
• Backing Vocals: Liz Parsons

Their last album, 2022’s Don’t Know What You’re in Until You’re Out finished at #22 in my year end favorite albums list. Their debut Safe Sins came out in 2020 on Lame-O Records.

Three years later, No Need To Be Lonely picks up where their 2022 sophomore album left off and kicks it into another gear with the opener, “Push Me Down”. Other faves include “I Want That For You”, “Future Spring”, “Brace Yourself”, and “Car Alarm.”

Such a good album, start to finish… with hooks galore. I highly recommend.

Lyrically speaking…

Koch excels at writing about the day-to-day challenges of relationships… some examples:

“Push Me Down”

Naively mistaken, our last facts of this situation Leanin’, detention, I see it all, I pay attention A small dose of humiliation It keeps me humble, it keeps me waitin’ It keeps me humble, it keeps me waitin’

I reach out my hand They pull me up, you push me under I reach out my hand They pull me up, you push me under A small dose of humiliation It keeps me humble, it keeps me waitin’ It keeps me humble

“I Want That For You”

I’ll loosen my grip I’ll make myself scarce They take the elevator up I’ll take the stairs

Nothing against the afternoon But I prefer the dawn Pretend that the city is empty All the people are gone

It’s so strange to be here Untethered, if only Got so good at being alone Now there’s no need to be lonely

“Future Spring”

Overwhelmed by the dawn of everything Morphin’ like a mood ring in a future spring All I can think of is to whisper in your ear “Hey, you’re invited, and we’re glad you’re here” “Hey, you’re invited, and we’re glad you’re here”

What makes you tense up? What keeps you small? Why do ya even bother? When they don’t see you at all? What makes you quiet? What keeps you small? Why do you give em’ power? When they don’t care at all?