By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Long Island’s premier purveyors of melodic emo-pop, Oso Oso, have officially pulled back the curtain on their next creative chapter. The project, led by the prolific songwriter Jade Lilitri, is set to release a new full-length studio album titled An Exchange of Information on November 6. This announcement comes as a surprise to many fans, following closely on the heels of their previous effort, Life Till Bones, which arrived earlier in 2024. The upcoming record marks a significant milestone not just for the band, but for the independent music infrastructure at large, as it serves as the debut release for Feral Twin, a newly established record label founded by Mark Quinlan.
Quinlan, perhaps best known as the drummer for the critically acclaimed indie rock outfit Hop Along, is no stranger to the inner workings of the music industry. His transition into label management feels like a natural evolution for a figure who has spent decades navigating the various strata of the independent scene. In a detailed statement regarding the birth of Feral Twin, Quinlan emphasized that the label is the culmination of a life spent in the trenches of the music world. Having served as a musician, a booking agent, a talent buyer, and a touring professional, Quinlan has seen the industry from nearly every conceivable angle.
The philosophy behind Feral Twin appears to be one of radical intentionality. In an era where the digital landscape often demands a constant stream of content to satisfy ever-hungry algorithms, Quinlan is positioning his label as a sanctuary for quality over quantity. He noted that Feral Twin was born out of a desire to apply his diverse experiences toward building a platform where every single release is treated with the gravity it deserves. The label is not intended to be a factory for high-volume output or a means to simply fill out a release calendar. Instead, it is envisioned as a home for artists whom Quinlan deeply respects and for music that he personally believes in, ensuring that each project receives a level of care and focused attention that can sometimes be lost in larger corporate structures.
To celebrate the announcement of An Exchange of Information, Oso Oso has shared the album’s lead single, "Know You Know Me Better." The track serves as a quintessential example of Lilitri’s ability to blend infectious, power-pop-adjacent melodies with the introspective and often self-deprecating lyricism that has become a hallmark of the Oso Oso sound. The song arrives with a sense of urgency and polish, suggesting that the upcoming album will continue to refine the bright, guitar-driven aesthetic that the band has mastered over the years.
The visual identity of the new era is also beginning to take shape. The cover art for An Exchange of Information features a striking image of a giraffe, a departure from the more abstract or minimalist covers of the band’s past. This whimsical yet grounded aesthetic choice mirrors the duality of Lilitri’s songwriting—often playful on the surface but containing layers of emotional complexity underneath.
The timing of this release is particularly noteworthy. Oso Oso has maintained an impressively high work rate in recent years. After the breakout success of 2019’s Basking in the Glow, which catapulted the band into the upper echelons of the modern emo revival, Lilitri has refused to slow down. Even during the global disruptions of the early 2020s, the project remained active, releasing the surprise album Sore Thumb in 2022, which was a tribute to the late producer and close friend Billy Mannino. That record’s success was bolstered by the popularity of tracks like "Computer Exploder," which earned significant critical acclaim and solidified Oso Oso’s reputation as one of the most consistent voices in alternative music.
Following the release of Life Till Bones earlier this year, many expected a longer hiatus. However, the announcement of An Exchange of Information suggests that Lilitri is currently in the midst of a particularly fertile period of inspiration. By partnering with Quinlan and Feral Twin, the band seems to be leaning into a more boutique, community-oriented approach to their career, moving away from the traditional paths of larger independent labels to help foster a new ecosystem.
The rollout of the new album will coincide with an extensive North American tour scheduled for October and November. This trek will see Oso Oso traversing the continent, bringing their high-energy live show to a variety of markets. The tour is structured to showcase a diverse array of supporting talent, further emphasizing the band’s commitment to the independent scene. On the East Coast leg of the tour, Oso Oso will be joined by the rising emo-pop group Leisure Hour and the gritty, anthemic sounds of Bad Luck. As the tour moves westward, the support slots will be taken over by Liquid Mike, a Michigan-based band known for their crunchy, hook-filled power-pop, and Bugsy, a Minneapolis quartet that has been making waves with their unique blend of indie rock and grunge sensibilities.
This curated lineup of supporting acts highlights the interconnectivity of the modern DIY and independent music circuits. By sharing the stage with these burgeoning artists, Oso Oso continues to act as a bridge between the established "emo revival" veterans and the next generation of guitar-based bands. It also provides a perfect lead-in to the November 6 release date of the album, allowing fans to hear new material in a live setting before the full collection becomes available.
The tracklist for An Exchange of Information reveals a twelve-song journey, beginning with "4 AM Redemption" and concluding with "The Days." The titles suggest a thematic focus on time, reflection, and the titular "exchange" of perspectives. Given Lilitri’s history of conceptual cohesion—seen most notably on the 2017 narrative-driven album The Yunahon Honeymoon—listeners are eager to see if this new record follows a similar storytelling arc or if it serves as a collection of standalone vignettes.
As the industry continues to grapple with shifting economic models and the challenges of the streaming age, the emergence of labels like Feral Twin offers a glimmer of hope for a more artist-centric future. Mark Quinlan’s vision of a label where "every release matters" resonates with a growing sentiment among both creators and consumers who are looking for more meaningful connections with the art they support. By choosing Oso Oso as the flagship artist for the label, Quinlan has made a bold statement of intent, aligning Feral Twin with a project that is synonymous with integrity and melodic craftsmanship.
The anticipation for An Exchange of Information is high, not only because of the music itself but because of what it represents—a new partnership, a new label, and a continued commitment to the ethos of independent music. As November 6 approaches, fans of Oso Oso and the wider indie-rock community will be watching closely to see how this new information is exchanged.
An Exchange of Information Tracklist:
- 4 AM Redemption
- It’s All Bait
- The Nights
- The Facts
- Know You Know Me Better
- Wind Me Up
- Everybody Has Their Fun
- She Rides in the Stars
- Someone Like That
- Trace Me
- The Premiums
- The Days
