Playing together since they were twelve, Two Gallants – a folk rock duo comprising Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel – proclaim that the limitation of the two piece set-up is essentially the driving force that compels them to become more innovative. On this, their fifth record, they collaborated with seasoned engineer Karl Derfler to aid their sonic exploration.
‘We Are Undone’ is the album’s title and opening track. While setting the tone nicely, it also introduces a set of five thrashy blues escapades. The rasping ‘Incidental’ follows, featuring some excellent lyrics recounting the tale of meeting ‘your mother’ at the hospital where “She had rusty hinges/ I forgot my scalpel/ She had indecision/ I was incidental.”
The record continues to surge with the martial, minor-key ‘Invitation To The Funeral’ and dirt-bar blues forewarning ‘Some Trouble’.
As the pace slows, there is a definite sense of yearning apparent here, be it a for a person (‘Katy Kruelly’), a feeling (‘My Man Go’), or the city in which the they grew up. Stephens and Vogel have spoken about how album closer ‘There’s So Much I Don’t Know’, addresses their concerns about their changing hometown of San Fransicso. It’s not the place It used to be; not the place the two friends grew up to know. Their loss is our gain.
With fog comes uncertainty. What should be familiar is not. Normal surroundings become ominous and alien. Trouble is bound to come.
With We Are Undone, Two Gallants – named after a short story in James Joyce’s Dubliners – have managed to create a subtle, cohesive atmosphere that slowly sucks you in.

Key Track - 'Katy Kruelly'