‘Pivot’ Sees Neptune’s Core Grow Into Their Sound While True to Their Roots
Pivot is an album built from the pulsing energy of chaos, passion, and tension that stems from the experience of being alive. Neptune’s Core invites listeners to unleash and untangle their emotions, all with the encouragement of racing guitar riffs, rich vocals, and exciting drums that all come together in a jubilant and vibrant celebration of rock and roll. Pivot finds its place amidst the natural chaos of life. The album stands brave in the face of fear, discovering joy and happiness in having the capacity to experience a full range of experiences and emotions, from the dark and lonely, to the sweet and colorful.
photo by Miles Kalchik
Neptune’s Core, while a rock and roll favorite in their home city of Chicago, are building more momentum than ever as they continue to highlight their musical talents and share their charismatic and addictive sound. Two sets of sisters, Jackie Cywinski (vocals and guitar), Hannah Richter (bass), Kaitlin Cywinski (drums), and Sofie Richter (lead vocals and guitar), bring to life each track of their debut album Pivot with a camaraderie and passion that can only be built from a lifetime of memories together. While Pivot is a sonic shift for the band, the album is sure to usher in a large wave of eager listeners. Each track is precise, expanding on the band’s previous sound while pulling new influences and stretching the rock genre in new directions.
“Mind Blinker” opens the album with an ominous guitar instrumental and strong vocals. The track is refreshingly simple and teases listeners as the album begins to take shape with a vocal and instrumental crescendo. Pivot grows more angsty and deliciously impatient with the tracks “Bent Down, Loving More” and “Arc.” Catchy and suspenseful drums accompany deep vocals from Richter on “Bent Down, Loving More” while the instrumental palette fills with whirring guitars and a jazzy rhythm. The lead and backing vocals grow more urgent and tense before relaxing into a groovy melody led by a surf-rock influenced guitar riff. On “Arc,” the lead vocals are longing and ache for connection and passion. Grungy instrumentals contrast the track’s conclusion as “Arc” finishes with bright vocal riffs.
“Cut My Garden Bare” marks one of the album’s most dynamic tracks and one of the band’s most special works. The song opens with isolated vocals, shaking lightly with a twinge of anger and impatience. Everything is unleashed in the chorus as the vocals and crashing instrumentals come together in a swirl of palpable anger and frustration. The track not only cements the band’s status as a bona fide rock and roll act, but showcases their ability to shift directions within a span of just a few short minutes and to charge their music with the emotions they’re feeling.
“Lemon Car” Official Music Video © Figurati Pictures 2026
“Cavalry King,” “Lemon Car,” and “More Than Yours” feature dynamic and flirty rhythms that exude distinct personalities. Addictive and cinematic, “More Than Yours” features sharp instrumentals that eb and flow while “Cavalry King” calls back to the swinging rhythm of “Lemon Car.” One of Pivot’s lead singles, “Lemon Car” features sweet electric guitar instrumentals alongside heartfelt lyrics: “You’re my lemon car, I will love and covet you/Make you be the star of eleventh avenue/So call me your everything, I’m dying to try you/Loving the way you're loving me.” This sentiment grows sour as their devotion is not reciprocated: “You’re my lemon car, I don't wanna covet you/Made you be the star now you took the avenue.”
Neptune’s Core takes chances on Pivot, choosing risk over comfort, and finding space to explore, try new things, and dive into new sounds. “Tethered” and “Skeleton” feature the band’s most distinctly different sounds. “Tethered” is eery, with howling vocals and slow and smooth drums, while “Skeleton” features acoustic guitar instrumentals, stripped vocals, and a mellow rhythm. While the tracks shift the album in new directions, the songs feel intentional and natural, pushing the band to move further into unexplored musical territory.
Pivot is more than a grungy rock album. It’s a celebration of life and love. Neptune’s Core understands this so clearly as their flaming vocals, fiery instrumentals, and precise lyricism remain charged with a palpable excitement and lust for everything life has to offer.
