Speedrun is the musical project of New York native Nina Lüders. The musician and singer-songwriter’s debut EP, "Love's Latest News," represents her signature “indie chic” genre. It combines indie rock, jazzy vocals, introspective lyrics and Makossa-inspired riffs.
The artist has released two singles before her latest EP, "L'Appel du Vide" and "Hysteria." The former is a soft and rhythmic track with repetitions in electric guitar motifs and lofty vocals. It creates an uninterrupted flow for the dulcet indie track. "Hysteria" contains a similar sound but focuses on the rock aspect. The powerful drums and guitar, as well as the angry sound effects in the background, give the delicate melody an intimidating twist.
Since her first single was released in 2023, Speedrun has gained attention from and collaborated with Fender, Converse and Gordon Raphael, the producer of The Strokes.
“... (Raphael) found me on TikTok and offered to join the project ('Love's Latest News') as the lead mixer and really drove home the nostalgic garage rock sound while keeping it contemporary for all kinds of listeners,” Lüders said in a provided press release.
"Love's Latest News" explores medieval ideals of courtship and love compared to the modern reception of those themes. The six-song collection contains varying tracks exploring different types of love, culminating in the central theme of self-love.
“I wrote this EP as a love letter to 2000s indie rock, with the cover art of me in a suit of armor to both highlight the medieval theme and introduce imagery of a young black woman empowered in her own hero’s journey,” said the artist in a provided press release.
The EP begins with a stark introduction: "Hearsay." The song combines shoegaze melodies with distorted garage rock energy, effectively setting the tone for the rest of the record. The song also serves as a beautiful introduction to Lüders’ gentle voice before it abruptly ends and transitions into the next track.
"Daydream Delusion" includes many aspects that make it emblematic of The Strokes and other garage rock revival bands whose style Lüders cites as her inspiration. The flawless and intense drums match nicely with the intricacy of two guitars playing together. The funky bassline adds an element of groove to the track. The artist’s vocals work together with the lead guitar to create a riveting and unpredictable melody while sharing beautiful imagery within the lyrics.
Half of the songs on "Love's Latest News" were released as singles; each song represents a different style on the album. "Nosebleed Season" possesses a repetitive and shimmering melody, making it one of the more mellow songs on the record. "What He's Used To" returns to the shoegaze influence of the EP’s first track.
"Nudie Cutie" serves as a combination of all these aspects. The song falls into a more mellow category, but it ends with strength from the guitar to remind listeners of the passion behind each song. Instrumentals and vocals are distorted throughout the track, giving it an ethereal haze.
"What He's Used To" strikes a balance between voice and instrumentals as it equally focuses on both tracks. This makes Lüders voice and specific annunciation difficult to make out, contributing to the hazy concept of the album. While the lyrics are nearly indiscernible, the rhythm and pattern of her words beautifully suit the style of the song.
The EP ends with "Cruel Heart, Tender World," which returns to the artist’s garage rock roots. The song features heavily distorted guitar, intense drumming and shouting sound effects in the background to create the chaos of a rock track.
Speedrun has created a niche sound for herself by combining the vintage sounds of garage rock with contemporary themes of self-love and alienation within relationships. "Love's Latest News" beautifully exemplifies her standing by creating moments of nostalgia for fans of classic indie rock, allowing for a modern spin with her fresh and electric perspective.
