Photo by Ruby Faye

The lyrics behind “Switch Girl” aren’t deep. “Switch over / Switch off” “Say say say / What you wanna say.” A few lah-dah-dah-dahs thrown in there for good measure, and it’s becoming abundantly clear why the Chicago indie rock trio’s sophomore effort is entitled Phonetics On and On. Yet, it’s Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece’s case study on sound — even in the slightest bits and pieces — and the repetition of it that in turn makes the latest preview off the album another mesmerizing display of understanding the assignment. Add in the feelies for that humble jangle and pop to bat away chronic ’90s comparisons, and it’s no wonder Horsegirl are looking at themselves with as much surprise when the end result hits just right.

Horsegirl’s Phonetics On and On will be released February 14th on Matador Records.