The Get Alongs return with their second album, Second To None, released June 19, 2026, via Having Fun and We Are Busy Bodies, and it feels like a band stepping forward with a clearer grip on their sound without sanding down what made them compelling in the first place. Formed in 2017 in Toronto, the group built its reputation through constant gigging, steady releases, and songs that moved quickly through word of mouth. Harrison Pickernell, Rory Pickernell, Eric Wood, and Tristan Catenacci already showed their range on Weather Permitting, a debut that carried a loose, melodic charge and earned attention from radio play and overseas shows. This new record carries that story forward with more focus and a tighter sense of direction. Recorded at Holy Mountain Sound in Montreal with Clayton Dupuis guiding the sessions, the album marks a change in working method. The band stepped away from their usual live-off-the-floor setup and spent long stretches in the studio shaping tone, structure, and flow. Living in that environment gave the songs room to evolve slowly, with ideas tested, stretched, then pulled back when needed. Small additions from AJ Krome and Josh Campos sit quietly inside the arrangements, while mixing work from Ryan Dahle, Brandan Bak, and Tom Nixon keeps everything steady and clear without stripping away the rough edges.
The sound pulls from garage rock energy, power pop drive, and bright jangle guitar lines. Hints of 60s-inspired grit and 70s pop sharpness sit beside touches of baggy looseness and modern guitar tones. The record never locks itself into one lane, moving through bursts of urgency and more open passages without losing its center. Songs like “Come On” hit with direct force, fast-moving, and built for late-night volume. “Sunday Afternoon” shifts into a slower stretch, where guitars ring out longer, and the rhythm settles into a calmer pulse before tightening again. I keep coming back to how natural the record feels without overstating anything. It carries confidence without sounding forced. I also like how the band trusts space and pacing, letting hooks land without pushing them too hard.
Across Second To None, The Get Alongs show a stronger sense of control while keeping their instinctive spark intact. The songs feel rooted in real rooms, late nights, and everyday motion, where small details carry weight and nothing feels overly constructed. As they move into UK and European shows, this release feels like a step that opens more doors without changing their core identity. It sits comfortably in the space between raw energy and careful shaping, and it holds that balance across the entire run. Spend time with The Get Alongs and make sure Second To None finds its way into your rotation. These songs suit repeated listening, especially when guitar-driven music with bite and warmth fits the moment. Keep an eye on the band going forward, since this stage of their path feels like one that will continue to unfold in interesting ways.
