Viruette’s MERIDIAN was the last of a trio of local records that came our way recently that’s seriously making us reconsider our no ranking policy (On the Local side, at least) for our annual year end post as we hit the halfway point of 2026 very soon. The band sound better and better with each new release and while we were already anticipating great things following a slew of singles after their phenomenal debut LP, LP #2 from the Boston outfit still managed to blow us away.
Also, kudos for putting out an album that’s a full on album with a meaty 12 tracks that constantly keep listeners on the edge of their seats with what’s coming next and it all begins with the title track that just glows as effervescent melodies and a big, bright and buoyant sound is produced by the combined might of Harry Burgess (Vocals, Guitar), Dan Wrona (Guitar), Andrew Ring (Drums) and George Heffernan (Bass, Vocals).
We didn’t a get a chance to cover recent single “SWAYA” (Long story short: Sleep is stupid and we need more hours in a day) but that doesn’t mean we didn’t love it and all its’ glory, channeling a plethora of sounds the new wave of British artists in the mid-00’s brought back (Think Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, etc). “Mutant Memories” is introspective, reminiscent of early Arctic Monkeys (Easily fitting in on Whatever You Think I Am… or even Humbug) followed by “PUNKTURED” (With Layzi accompaniment!) which arrives like an old friend you haven’t seen in some time yet instantly connect with on the deepest level with the track initially arriving last summer.
“Do What You Will With My Likeness” reminds us of the highly underrated (And defunct) Baddies with the way Burgess comes in with a hypnotic cadence accented by Ring’s stick work while “ASCEND 2” flips the script again on this tender track that’s filled with lush melodies and harmonies which are easily becoming a Viruette calling card. “Pasttimes” gives us some heavy Turnover vibes with the Emo Alternative of it all before the bouncy, rollicking “G-VID” enters the fray followed by the intricate instrumentation of “SOMATIZED” which practically glistens.
“Iryn Sistr” is essential Viruette listening and the kind of song that one looking for the “Viruette Sound” should immediately be directed to with its’ mixture of Blur and The Beatles style harmonies creating a new anthem while “BE SPARING” flows out of that and offers up a heady Pop Rawk hybrid ditty with soaring solos and “The World Revolves Around You” is just Viruette through and through, utilizing everything in their wondrous wheelhouse to craft a defining closing song.
MERIDIAN arrives on June 16th and you can already do the pre-savin’ and pre-orderin’ by heading here. For more from Viruette, including all the deets on the record release show at Warehouse XI in Somerville on June 20th with The Rupert Selection, Sound Advice & literally/nobody (Get yer advance tix here!), hit the interwebs and the socials located here, here or here.