LIMERICK independent alternative three-piece Lyterian have released their eponymously titled debut album, a ten-track record that spans genres from goth and garage rock to sugary pop and electronic dance.
Founded in 2022 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Sam O’Shaughnessy and bassist Brandon Ryan, the band was completed when Sam’s sister Kate joined on drums, cementing the line-up that would go on to craft the album’s eclectic and distinctive sound.
The band cite a classic 1980s synth aesthetic, modernised with indie shoegaze grit and strong melody, drawing on the influence of artists such as The Cure, Depeche Mode and The Killers, while also embracing the contemporary sounds of Sombr, Twenty One Pilots and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Two early singles, Monument and Cassette, were released ahead of the album to give listeners a taste of what was to come. “They’re both polar opposites sonically, while still keeping the whimsy that’s a commonality throughout most of our tracks,” the band said. “The two major themes of the album can be encapsulated perfectly in those two tracks.”
After initial full band studio sessions, Lyterian made the decision to pivot to home recording, a move they say gave the project an organic edge. The approach opened up the songwriting process considerably, with the band incorporating sounds from everyday life as textural elements. Their most recent single, Dopamine, is perhaps the most striking example of this method — built largely from chopped-up loops of Sam’s own breathing used as samples, with bass and drums layered on top, all recorded at home.
The post-production process saw the band work with an impressive roster of mixing and mastering professionals, including Neal Avron, Howie Weinberg, Gordon Raphael, and Mark Saunders — the latter of whom the band connected with so strongly that a co-writing collaboration emerged.
“We don’t really fall into one genre, or commit to one particular sound because we love music and we make music that we ourselves would want to listen to,” the band said. “You can hear our musical background and influences throughout, which — being as varied as they are — is what we think gives our music an authentic, striking feel.”
The self-titled debut album is available now. Follow Lyterian on Instagram at @lyterian_band.