The Cincinnati indie rock project Carriers have been on the edge of national recognition for the last couple of years. Carriers, the project helmed by Cincinnati’s Curt Kiser, has opened for other indie artists like Big Thief and Band of Horses, and even played a set during the Cincinnati Bengals’ Monday Night Football game this past fall. With their upcoming album, Every Time I Feel Afraid, being Kiser’s first album with Brooklyn-based record label Brassland, Carriers is surely set to see some national coverage. Brassland, founded by New York Times journalist Alec Bemis and twin brothers Bryce and Aaron Dessner of indie rock band The National, seems like it will be able to take Carriers to new heights in 2025.
For the new album, out May 2, Kiser has brought in some superb talent, whose names you’ll recognize if you listen to this style of music. The new single “Blurry Eyes” boasts famous indie musicians Dave Hartley of The War on Drugs, Ben Lanz (who’s played with acts like Sufjan Stevens and Beirut), as well as Cincinnati’s Bryan Devendorf from The National. Throughout the album, each of these artists brought in by Kiser brings a different aspect to the recordings and highlights Kiser’s ability to use each of these artists’ strengths and blend them into his own unique vision.
The album’s lead singles “Sometimes” and “Blurry Eyes” have already been released across streaming services, and are just a taste of what’s to come on the album’s release on May 2. “Sometimes,” a reflection on life and past decisions accompanied by airy, tangy guitar licks, is the best song to listen to if you want to feel what the upcoming album is all about. Containing all the makings of a new indie rock hit, Every Time I Feel Afraid may just prove to be the release that pushes Carriers over the edge and onto the national stage.
The new album has a dynamic but cohesive feel. Ranging from drum machine beats and heavy synth sounds to gentle brush drumming and soft folk-like vocals, Every Time I Feel Afraid takes the listener to many different musical stops. Kiser’s almost Neil Young-esque vocals perfectly complement his emotional lyrics. Songs like “Mixed Emotions” perfectly capture feelings of heartache and confusion, with a smooth, Laurel Canyon vibe reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. One of the album’s standout tracks, the closing “Be The One” is an emotional, soft-spoken ballad, juxtaposed with distorted, sludgy guitar. “Be The One” is just one of many examples of musical juxtaposition that’s present on Every Time I Feel Afraid, and it is what makes the album unique.
At only nine songs long, Every Time I Feel Afraid can’t afford to have any lackluster tracks, and it doesn’t. Each song fits perfectly into place, despite their often varied sound. For instance, the opening song “In My Head” has an eclectic percussion throughout, while the next song, “Motion,” is held down by a looped drum machine and synths, giving it a very New Order feel. Each song is unique but fits into a common feel that elevates the album, making it not merely a collection of songs, but a musical journey for the listener that will make you think, “I wonder what the next song will sound like?” while still sounding distinctly Carriers.
My favorite tracks on the album were the ‘80s-fueled “Motion,” the gentle and reflective “Share Some Wine” and the twangy, country-adjacent “Mixed Emotions.” Though each song is drastically different, they are all held together by Kiser’s heartfelt lyrics and soft-spoken vocals.
Tracks “Sometimes” and “Blurry Eyes” are available to buy/stream here. Carriers’ album Every Time I Feel Afraid is out May 2 and is available for preorder here.
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Cincinnati Band Carriers Announce New Album ‘Every Time I Feel Afraid’
This article appears in Jan 22 – Feb 4, 2025.