Soft Kill/Lesser Care Split

The Soft Kill / Lesser Care split 7" showcases two distinct yet complementary visions of post-punk and dream-pop. Portland’s Soft Kill offers the A-side, “Always Running,” a fully realized studio version of a track previously only heard as a demo on Not Quite Dracula Music via Cercle Social Records. The song highlights the band’s signature blend of brooding atmospheres and precise, propulsive rhythms, building on the momentum of 2020’s Dead Kids, R.I.P City and their forthcoming 2022 full-length.

On the B-side, El Paso’s Lesser Care delivers “Shiver,” a shimmering, blast-beat infused exploration of dreamy, kinetic soundscapes. Following their self-released EPs and 2022 debut LP Underneath, Besides Me, the track demonstrates Lesser Care’s ability to merge raw intensity with lush melodic textures, pushing the boundaries of their sonic palette while maintaining a distinct emotional resonance.

Together, the split captures two acts at the height of their creative powers, offering a concise yet compelling snapshot of contemporary post-punk and dream-pop experimentation.