The Cardinal Summer, a pop-rock outfit stretching across Wisconsin and Virginia, are making a serious bid for your driving playlists. The bi-coastal trio—comprised of vocalist Jordan Pulley, drummer Cecil Johnson, and guitarist Daniel Glomski—have spent their formative years honing an energetic mix of soaring synths and heavy guitars. With their latest double-single drop, ‘Golden’ and ‘Feel’, the band confidently declare that they have finally captured a brand-new sonic identity.
The A-side, ‘Golden’, serves as a robust introduction to this refined era. It is an easily enjoyable slice of alt-rock grit that thrives on bright arrangements, unexpected country twangs, and a steady swell of orchestration. Pulley’s songwriting shines through the noise, delivering earnest, conversational lyrics that demand to be sung at the top of your lungs: “Am I talking to slow, maybe it’s the wind on the drive home, I don’t wanna waste a moment”. While the track occasionally leans into standard pop-rock tropes, the sheer momentum of the rhythm section keeps the energy from flattening out.
Switching gears, ‘Feel’ steps away from the stadium-ready bombast to explore a softer, more emotive landscape. Here, the focus shifts to delicate, cascading guitar work from Glomski that ripples beneath a timeless, questioning refrain: “How does it feel?”. It is arguably the stronger of the two tracks, allowing the band space to breathe and showcase a genuine sense of authenticity. The focal point is, without a doubt, a soaring guitar solo that slices cleanly through the middle of the track, anchoring the melody beautifully. It is a confident marker of a band settling into their creative stride, even if the production at times glosses over some of their natural grit.
This double release proves that The Cardinal Summer are no longer just searching for a direction—they have found it. By balancing radio-friendly hooks with sincere lyricism, the trio have delivered a remarkably cohesive musical package that bodes well for a full-length record.
To catch their next sonic evolution before everyone else does, make sure to add them to your feeds and follow their journey on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
