American Motors Announce New Album Functional Music

American Motors will release their second album, Functional Music, on November 6. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania trio recorded the project with producer J Robbins at his Magpie Cage studio in Baltimore.

Singer-guitarist Dustin White described the process. "Making the first record, we established a conceptual framework to work inside of," he said. "This time we're adding more detail inside that framework, and pushing against it slightly." White called working with Robbins again "an absolute dream" and noted the personal significance of the release, stating no band he had been in had managed to release a second LP while still continuing to function.

Recording and Sonic Approach

The band's debut, Content, arrived in 2024. For the follow-up, drummer Alex Steward's performances are noted for their visceral impact, a result of the studio collaboration. White said the new album is "a little more interior to the exterior of the first LP" and that the group remains interested in experimenting with empty space and repetition. He summarized the band's creative ethos as doing "whatever Alex and I find interesting."

Lead Single and Video

The first single is titled "No Horses." The track is described as scraping, pounding, and ominous, drawing comparisons to bands like Pile, Chat Pile, FACS, and Shellac. White's vocals are likened to those of Jerry David DeCicca, with the song's chorus taking a warm, melodic turn within a punishing post-hardcore context.

White explained the song's setting and instrumentation. "'No Horses' takes place mostly out on Route 60 just outside St Albans, WV," he said, noting it shares a location with a track from their first album. He highlighted a signature band technique: "one of our favorite things to do is have either the guitar or bass play essentially one note while the other moves around."

The music video was shot at the Large Scale Systems Museum near Pittsburgh using a 1960s Arriflex 16ST 16mm camera to maintain an antiquated technology aesthetic. White encouraged viewers to visit the museum and interact with the machines.

Tracklist and Release Details

The album Functional Music contains eight tracks. It will be released through the labels The Ghost Is Clear, Expert Work, and Vina.

Pre-orders for the album are now available. The band's announcement was reported by Stereogum, which also premiered the lead single.