I was immediately drawn to the atmosphere of “Every Other Star”. The guitar hangs in the air through reverb and delay, creating a cool haze that gives the track its own physical space. There is something ritualistic about it, but never in an overly dramatic way. The song simply settles into its surroundings and lets the atmosphere develop naturally, pulling me further in with every repetition.
The vocals are beautifully intertwined, almost impossible to separate at times. I hear a strange, shamanistic quality in them, but there is also something warm and approachable, which makes the combination particularly effective. The rhythmic section follows that same principle. The drums and bass are fluid and restrained, contributing to the texture without trying to dominate it. They keep the song moving whilst leaving enough space for the guitar and voices to breathe.
The connection between all these elements is where the song really comes alive for me. The words, vocal timbres, guitars and rhythm don’t feel like separate decisions placed next to each other; they feel as though they came from the same place. Tara Key’s story about looking for Orion adds another layer to that sensation. Her memories of seeing the constellation as a child, as an adult and again while making this record turn a simple night-sky image into something deeply personal. That sense of different moments briefly touching each other is present in the music too.
About Antietam:
Antietam have been developing their sound for decades, beginning with their early connection to the New York underground and continuing through a remarkable catalogue of albums, collaborations and live performances. The trio of Tara Key, Tim Harris and Josh Madell has never needed to stay inside one particular corner of rock, and “The Counting Game” continues that openness with new instrumentation and collaborators alongside the band’s established guitar-led work. “Every Other Star” shows why a group with such a long history can still sound adventurous: the music carries its past without becoming trapped inside it.
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