American Motors detail second LP Functional Music
Pennsylvania art rock duo American Motors have announced their second record, Functional Music, will arrive on 6 November with lead single “No Horses” out now alongside a self-directed video shot in a computer museum.
The group’s follow-up to 2024 debut Content was recorded with post-hardcore fixture J. Robbins at Magpie Cage, the Baltimore studio previously used by Shudder to Think and Brainiac. Dustin White (guitar, vocals) said “making the first record, we established a conceptual framework to work inside of. This time, we made some bigger swings in a few spots, but still just did what we do, which is basically whatever Alex [Steward, drums] and I find interesting.”
Inspired by societal decay, the lyrics follow waitresses, nomads, and others living with the reality of the American dream. White cites 'New Hollywood' directors like Peckinpah and Bogdanovich as influences on the record’s scene-based writing.
For the “No Horses” video, shot inside the Large Scale Systems Museum, just outside Pittsburgh, used a 1960s Arriflex 16ST with expired Kodak film. He taught himself to operate the camera from scratch, sourcing second-hand gear and shooting test reels before the big day.
“Everybody should go here and touch these machines; they want you to,” White said of the museum, whose tagline is "Come and see what things were like when computers actually had personality!.
American Motors will support Jonah Matranga’s onelinedrawing project on an East Coast run this October, beginning 22 October in Boston.
Functional Music is released on 6 November via Expert Work, The Ghost Is Clear and Vina Records
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