By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Baltimore, Turnstile has never been a band content with staying within the prescribed boundaries of a single genre. Since their inception in the Baltimore hardcore scene, the group has consistently pushed the envelope, infusing the raw energy of punk with elements of groove, psychedelic rock, and even dream pop. Today, they have taken that spirit of experimentation to a new level by announcing their latest project, Never Enough: Versions. Set for release on Friday, August 28, the album is described as a comprehensive "reimagining" of their 2023 breakthrough record, Never Enough, featuring an almost unbelievable roster of collaborators that spans the entire spectrum of modern music.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the industry, not merely because Turnstile is revisiting their most successful work to date, but because of the sheer diversity and stature of the guests involved. The list of contributors reads like a festival lineup curated by someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of music history and a total disregard for tribalism. From living legends like Elton John to hyper-pop pioneers and death metal stalwarts, Never Enough: Versions promises to be a cultural document that defies categorization.
The inclusion of Elton John is perhaps the most surprising and prestigious addition to the project. While the "Rocketman" has spent the last several years collaborating with younger artists—ranging from Dua Lipa to Lil Nas X—his involvement with a band rooted in the hardcore tradition marks a fascinating new chapter. It signals Turnstile’s ascent into a rarified air of pop-culture relevance where the traditional barriers between "heavy" music and global superstardom no longer apply. While the band has kept the specific nature of these collaborations under wraps, the prospect of Elton John’s signature piano work or vocals blending with Turnstile’s rhythmic intensity is one of the most anticipated musical moments of the year.
Joining the legendary pianist is a cadre of contemporary powerhouses who represent the vanguard of alternative and pop music. Hayley Williams, the frontwoman of Paramore, is another notable guest. Williams has long been a vocal supporter of the band, and her own career trajectory—moving from the pop-punk explosion of the mid-2000s into more experimental, art-pop territories—mirrors Turnstile’s own evolution. Similarly, the presence of Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) feels like a natural fit. Hynes, who also got his start in the hardcore scene with Test Icicles before becoming a celebrated producer and R&B auteur, has a long-standing relationship with the band. His ability to blend atmospheric textures with soulful melodies will likely provide a stark contrast to the original album’s high-velocity tracks.
The electronic and experimental wings of the guest list are equally impressive. Producers and DJs such as Four Tet and Floating Points are expected to bring a sense of rhythmic complexity and ambient depth to the reimagining. These artists are known for their ability to find the "ghost in the machine," turning mechanical beats into something deeply emotional. When combined with the production wizardry of A. G. Cook—the founder of PC Music and a primary architect of the hyper-pop sound—it is clear that Never Enough: Versions will not just be a collection of standard remixes. Instead, it appears to be a total deconstruction and reconstruction of the source material.
The singer-songwriter and indie-rock communities are also heavily represented. Artists like Alex G, Julien Baker, and Faye Webster bring a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that is often hidden beneath the surface of Turnstile’s loud, distorted guitars. Alex G’s penchant for lo-fi experimentation and Baker’s raw, emotional delivery could potentially transform some of the band’s more aggressive anthems into haunting, acoustic-driven reflections. Other contributors like Oklou, Mustafa, and Nourished by Time further broaden the palette, introducing elements of avant-garde pop, folk, and contemporary R&B.
Despite the heavy lean toward pop and electronic experimentation, Turnstile has remained loyal to their roots. The guest list includes Angel Du$t, a band that shares members with Turnstile and represents the same vibrant Baltimore creative community. Perhaps more surprising is the inclusion of the legendary death metal outfit Dying Fetus. By bringing in one of the most respected names in extreme metal, Turnstile ensures that the "Versions" project maintains a tether to the heavy music world, even as it reaches for the stars. This juxtaposition—placing a band known for technical brutality alongside the likes of Panda Bear (of Animal Collective fame) or the whimsical leftfield pop of Dan Deacon—is a testament to Turnstile’s unique position as a bridge between disparate musical worlds.
The announcement also highlights the band’s interest in jazz and club culture. The inclusion of jazz musicians like saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and trumpeter Brandon Woody suggests that some tracks may lean into improvisational or brass-heavy arrangements. Meanwhile, the presence of DJ/producers Kettama and Rod Lee indicates that the album will likely feature club-ready iterations of their songs, perhaps paying homage to the Baltimore club music scene that has long influenced the band’s rhythmic sensibilities.
As of now, no official tracklist has been revealed. This lack of information has only heightened the mystery surrounding the project. Fans are left to wonder which artists will appear on which tracks, and whether these "versions" will be solo reinterpretations or collaborative efforts featuring multiple guests on a single song. The band’s statement that they have "reimagined" the album suggests a level of creative involvement that goes beyond merely handing over master tapes to remixers. It implies a collaborative process where the original songs served as a foundation for entirely new compositions.
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The timing of the release is also strategic. Never Enough: Versions will arrive just as Turnstile prepares to embark on a massive North American tour. The tour itself reflects the same eclectic spirit as the album, with support coming from an array of talent that includes the legendary rap duo Clipse, pop sensation Slayyyter (who also appears on the album), and the critically acclaimed rapper Vince Staples. By surrounding themselves with artists from different backgrounds, Turnstile is positioning their live shows as more than just a concert; they are positioning them as a cultural event that celebrates the blurring of genre lines.
Turnstile’s rise over the past few years has been nothing short of meteoric. While many hardcore bands find themselves pigeonholed by the conventions of their scene, Turnstile has managed to retain their credibility while expanding their audience to include fans of indie, electronic, and mainstream pop. Their 2023 album Never Enough was a turning point, earning them Grammy nominations and spots on major late-night television shows. It was a record that proved heavy music could be melodic, danceable, and emotionally resonant without losing its edge.
Never Enough: Versions feels like the logical conclusion to that era of the band’s career. It is a victory lap that doesn’t just celebrate where they have been, but points toward where they are going. By inviting such a diverse group of artists into their world, Turnstile is making a bold statement about the future of music: that the labels we use to categorize sound are increasingly irrelevant. In the world of Turnstile, there is no "us" and "them," no "underground" versus "mainstream." There is only the energy, the groove, and the shared experience of the song.
As August 28 approaches, the anticipation for Never Enough: Versions continues to build. Whether it is the curiosity of hearing Elton John on a hardcore-adjacent track or the desire to see how Four Tet handles a punk riff, the album is poised to be one of the most discussed releases of the year. Turnstile has once again proven that they are the most exciting band in modern music, not because they follow the rules, but because they have the vision to rewrite them entirely. For a band that has always insisted that "there is no rules," this ambitious new project is the ultimate proof of their philosophy.
