“Rock and roll is sort of my consolation prize for wanting to have been a writer,” says James Alex. It’s a humble admission from the frontman of Philadelphia’s Beach Slang, a fiery punk quartet whose raucous gigs often find the songwriter’s earnest lyrics bellowed back at him. His new project Quiet Slang is a direct confrontation to the trembling walls of distortion that serve as Beach Slang’s raison d’etre. As the name implies, Alex is embracing minimalism, smothering the fuzz in favor of a cello, a piano, and his voice on the debut full length album, Everything Matters But No One Is Listening, due out May 18.

“If Beach Slang is me fawning over The Replacements,

Quiet Slang is me head-over-heels for Stephin Merritt.”

Lead single “Dirty Cigarettes” debuted today via Stereogum with an emotionally off-kilter video, directed by Jason Lester and featuring Laura Burhenn (Mynabirds) & Heather McIntosh (Elephant 6, of Montreal).

Quiet Slang's debut performance will be at this year's SXSW on Wednesday, March 14th @ St. David's Historic Sanctuary. Catch Loud Slang (Beach Slang) on tour with Dashboard Confessional and Kississippi this spring.

Pre-order Everything Matters But No One Is Listening Early Bird LP on 180-Gram Metallic Gold/Baby Blue or snag a sweet pin, or shirt, or patch, or this sick silk-screened print!!!