We Are Scientists
Qualifying Miles
Alternative Rock
By: Bryn Van Horne
When is it time to walk away?
When do we accept that an opportunity is gone?
And how do we pick up the pieces afterward?
Keith Murray and Chris Cain, also known as We Are Scientists, return with their ninth studio album, Qualifying Miles, to reflect on exactly that. While their 2023 release, Lobes, was an upbeat, danceable project seemingly influenced by their college roots in the California sunshine and a sense of beach-inspired optimism, Qualifying Miles, released on Groenland Records, shifts course. It’s a complex testament to emotional hardship and the often painful journey toward self-discovery. Though thematically heavy at times, the band doesn’t take itself too seriously. The music videos for two of the album’s singles, “Please Don’t Say It” and “I Could Do Much Worse,” stay true to the We Are Scientists tradition of comedy-driven visuals.
Themes of regret (The Same Mistake), lost opportunity (What You Want Is Gone), and fear of commitment (I Already Hate This) run through this 12-track record. At times cathartic and melancholic in reflection, and at other times hopeful about what’s next, this album takes listeners deep into the minds of the New York-based indie rock duo. The lyrics feel naturally relatable, not overly polished or forced, and even if you don’t expect to have a moment of introspection during your listen, the album quietly encourages it.
Stylistically, Qualifying Miles incorporates some of alternative rock’s most beloved facets — dreamy shoegaze, punchy garage-rock anthems, and even the delicate charm of the twee era.
Fans of rock icons like the Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon (both past tour mates of We Are Scientists) will find familiar territory in tracks like I Could Do Much Worse and What You Want Is Gone, respectively. The lush production on tracks like A Prelude to What, the album’s opener, and the mid-album highlight, The Same Mistake, shows the duo’s strength in exploring this slower, dreamier direction without ever hitting a lull.
Breaking away from power-pop-esque hits like “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” (2005) and “After Hours” (2008) that gave them their reputation as a dependable alt-rock act, Qualifying Miles is a gloriously executed example of Murray and Cain’s musical growth.
Ethereal builds, dense themes of persistence and contemplation, and grounding in the band’s experience across alternative subgenres make Qualifying Miles a worthy addition to any indie fan’s regular rotation. Be sure to pick this one up for your collection when it drops on July 13th.
Pre-order here
Recommended tracks:
Dead Letters: Although stylistically distinct from the rest of the album, this track is an upbeat, refreshing burst of intensity, featuring jangly guitars and catchy hooks.
What You Want Is Gone: In my opinion, this is Qualifying Miles’ strongest track. It fully captures the album’s essence with complex instrumental layering, booming vocals, and raw, vulnerable lyrics.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)