Supergroup The Hard Quartet Confirms Debut Album & Shares Shimmering ‘Rio’s Song’ Single

Supergroup The Hard Quartet will release their self-titled debut album on October 4 through Matador Records. The band made up of Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, Jim White and Emmett Kelly shared the new single, “Rio’s Song,” from the pending eponymous release.

Malkmus is a co-founding Pavement guitarist and leader of his solo band The Jicks. Among Sweeney’s many guitar and bass credits is co-founding Chavez, as well as Superwolf with Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Multi-instrumentalist Kelly is the primary member of The Cairo Gang and performed with Sweeney in Superwolf. White’s extensive past drumming credits include the Dirty Three and many others including The Double with Kelly.

The band’s 15-song debut album, The Hard Quartet, features the previously shared lead single, “Earth Hater.” The second single, “Rio’s Song,” arrived with a video directed by Jared Sherbert. Regarding the visual captured in New York City, The Hard Quartet stated:

“The ‘Rio’s Song’ video is The Hard Quartet’s homage to street rock in the hot afternoon & clowning around with lifer friends in downtown New York City. Director Jared Sherbert shot it guerrilla style on St Mark’s Place and in The International Bar on July 15, 2024. It features local NYC artists, musicians, activists, skaters and icons who are dear to the band.”

Featuring Big Star-esque power pop, the “Rio’s Song” video can be seen below:

The Hard Quartet will embark on a short tour shortly after the album’s release. The band will make their live debut in Los Angeles on October 10, followed by shows in New York City on October 17 and in London on October 22.