Gretchen's Wheel
Black Box Theory
Lindsay Murrays indie-pop solo project Gretchens Wheel returns with her fourth full-length release, Black Box Theory, a 10-song collection that blends Murrays clear voice with her aggressive, energetic power-pop guitar attack. Murrays songwriting draws upon classic pop and rock sounds without ever becoming an exercise in retro. Black Box Theory continues the confident study in contrasts that has endeared Gretchens Wheel to audiences. Razor-edged guitars drive the albums opening salvo, "Untethered," as sweetly sung vocal harmonies float above. A bouncy rhythm underscores the melancholic sentiments of "The Maze." The contemplative, album-closing "A Tourist" culminates with slow-burn distorted guitars. "Murrays meaty, thoughtful tunes feel like they straddle the border between introspective power-pop and succinct, catchy alt-rock" (The Daily Vault). The LP is black vinyl with multi-color splatter packaged in a gatefold jacket.