New Jersey rock ’n’ roll duo Tall Days have returned with Breakers, their first new album in seven years, expanding their stripped-down garage-rock formula while maintaining the raw energy that has defined their work.
Released September 29, Breakers features Graham Hartke on vocals and guitar and Joe DeAngelus on drums. Based in Montclair, New Jersey, the pair built the record around a straightforward foundation of loud amplifiers, hard-hitting drums and memorable hooks, while introducing a wider range of instruments and influences.
Drawing from 1960s and 1970s British rock, garage rock, indie rock and blues rock, the album reflects influences associated with artists including Jack White, The Black Keys, Ty Segall, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Royal Trux.
Tall Days Expand Their Stripped-Down Sound
Hartke and DeAngelus wrote and recorded Breakers at their Snack Factory studio between March 2024 and February 2026. The sessions followed a simple approach centered on making noise while keeping strong hooks at the forefront.
The duo maintained deliberately raw performances, with amplified guitars and forceful percussion forming the backbone of the album. However, Tall Days also expanded beyond their traditional two-piece setup.
Alto and tenor saxophone, Hammond organ, recorder and an assortment of percussion instruments appear throughout the record. Those additions give the songs a broader sound without removing the rough-edged character at the center of the band’s music.
The album also reflects the musical connection between North Jersey and New York City. Tall Days have roots in Montclair but remain closely tied to the New York-area rock scene, including Brooklyn venues such as Our Wicked Lady.
Breakers Balances Frustration With Optimism
Hartke describes Breakers as an album built around duality, reflecting contrasting reactions to an unpredictable and often chaotic world.
Songs including “Destroy,” “Gaslight Bomb,” “Breakers,” “Night,” “Less Fortunate” and “On Edge” focus on frustration, confrontation and resistance. In contrast, “She Is My Girl,” “Humanity,” “Cover Song” and “NYC Rock ’N’ Roll” emphasize family, joy and optimism.
“Gaslight Bomb” delivers one of the album’s more aggressive moments. Built around low-wattage guitar amplifiers pushed hard, the garage-rock track addresses frustration with people who promote false narratives and expect others to accept them.
“Destroy” emerged under different circumstances. Hartke developed the song shortly before a performance at Brooklyn’s Our Wicked Lady. Inspired by the end of a difficult relationship, the track approaches starting over as an act of demolition rather than a gradual recovery.
“She Is My Girl” moves in the opposite emotional direction. Hartke wrote the song for his young daughter, incorporating congas, bongos, claves, guiro, vibra-slap, cabasa and maracas into Tall Days’ usual rock ’n’ roll foundation.
Family members also became part of the recording process. Hartke’s daughter Hannah, his sister Rebecca and his singer-songwriter brother Matt Hartke contributed background vocals to the album.
Experienced Production Team Joins the Project
While Breakers retained its homemade recording foundation, Tall Days brought in several experienced engineers during the mixing and mastering stages.
Mixing duties were divided among Brent Kolatado, Matt Maroulakos and Rubin Nizri, along with Hartke. Kolatado’s credits include Lenny Kravitz, Nine Inch Nails and Beastie Boys. Maroulakos has worked with Best Coast, The Linda Lindas and Public Access T.V., while Nizri’s credits include Lady Gaga, Sheryl Crow and Steven Van Zandt.
Bill Skibbe mastered Breakers at Third Man Mastering. His previous credits include work with The Black Keys, The Raconteurs and The Kills.
Tall Days Build on New Jersey and New York Underground Roots
Although Breakers represents the duo’s first new album in seven years, Tall Days have an established history within the New Jersey and New York independent rock scenes.
Previous releases received airplay from WFMU, SiriusXM and New York’s Q104.3. The band has also reached television audiences, with “All in My Way” appearing on Netflix’s Lucifer and “Crosstown” featured on Hulu’s Difficult People.
With Breakers, Tall Days retain the simplicity of their two-person setup while expanding the instrumentation and emotional range surrounding it. The album keeps the duo firmly connected to their New Jersey roots and the neighboring New York rock tradition, combining garage-rock grit, melody and a deliberately unpolished approach.
