Spencer LaJoye has never been one to shy away from vulnerability. With their latest EP, Death Drive, releasing independently on February 14, 2025, the Grand Rapids-based indie-folk singer-songwriter delivers a raw and intimate exploration of love, loss, and self-reckoning. This five-track collection is a stark contrast to their 2024 full-length album, Shadow Puppets, which was bursting with sonic experimentation and vibrant storytelling. In Death Drive, LaJoye strips everything down to the bone, laying bare the emotional wreckage of a sudden heartbreak and turning it into something both devastating and beautiful.
At the core of Death Drive is LaJoye’s ability to transform personal turmoil into something deeply relatable. Written in the wake of the abrupt end of a long-term queer romance, the EP is a musical diary of self-reflection, capturing the complexities of grief, longing, and eventual acceptance. LaJoye worked with returning producer Chris DuPont, who has become an essential collaborator in shaping their sound. The duo approached the recording process with urgency, capturing the rawness of the moment rather than striving for perfection. The result is an EP that feels like a confessional letter, intimate and unfiltered.
The title track, “Death Drive,” sets the tone with a melancholic, hypnotic melody that mirrors the push-and-pull of self-destructive tendencies. It’s a song about the allure of chaos, the moments where we willingly veer off course despite knowing the consequences. Released as the first single in October 2024, the track introduced listeners to the emotionally turbulent landscape of the EP, preparing them for the depth of introspection to come. The second single, “Resistance to a Move,” arrived in November, showcasing a more playful but equally conflicted side of LaJoye’s songwriting. The song is a swirling mix of folk and indie-pop, highlighting the tension between wanting change and fearing it.
“To Tell the Truth” and “An Amazing Song” bring in the ethereal harmonies of Michigan folk icon Kylee Phillips, adding an extra layer of emotional weight. “To Tell the Truth” is one of the EP’s most vulnerable moments, a song about the difficulty of honesty—both with oneself and with others. Meanwhile, “An Amazing Song” takes a more tongue-in-cheek approach, reflecting on the way we try to package our pain into something palatable, turning heartbreak into art. The EP closes with “Collecting,” a hauntingly sparse track that lingers long after the final note fades. It’s a song about gathering the broken pieces of oneself after loss and figuring out what to do with them.
LaJoye’s ability to blend lyrical depth with musical experimentation has always been one of their greatest strengths. With Death Drive, they lean into a more organic, stripped-down sound, but there are still moments of unexpected sonic brilliance. LaJoye plays guitars, piano, and violin on the EP, while DuPont adds layers of synths, bass, harmonica, and even ukulele, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.
For longtime fans, Death Drive is another chapter in LaJoye’s ever-evolving journey. Their 2021 viral hit “Plowshare Prayer” cemented their place as a songwriter with a rare ability to connect on a deeply personal level, and each release since has only deepened that reputation. From winning the 2021 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition to their powerful 2024 album Shadow Puppets, LaJoye has continually pushed the boundaries of folk music, blending elements of Americana, indie-pop, and theatrical storytelling.
Their live performances are equally compelling—whether in intimate house concerts, folk festivals, or church sanctuaries, LaJoye captivates audiences with their crystalline vocals, looped harmonies, and raw storytelling. As they embark on a tour to support Death Drive, fans can expect a live show that mirrors the EP itself: honest, heart-wrenching, and ultimately cathartic.
Spencer LaJoye has never shied away from the messy, complicated emotions that define the human experience. With Death Drive, they invite listeners into their world once again, offering a collection of songs that feel like late-night conversations with an old friend. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of heartbreak, there is beauty in the telling of the story.
