Last Updated on 2025-06-26 by a-indie
crushed Opens New Frontiers of “Maximalist Dream Pop” with New Work ‘no scope’
Los Angeles-based duo crushed will release their highly anticipated full-length debut album ‘no scope’ on September 26, 2025.
They described their 2023 EP ‘extra life’ as “maximalist dream pop,” utilizing breakbeats and distortion to construct a sound that eclectically incorporates elements of 90s alternative/trip-hop/electronica.
What is crushed
Band Formation and Musical Style
The formation of crushed began with late-night radio shows and shared musical tastes.
In the early 2010s, Bre Morell, who is also the frontwoman of Temple of Angels, was in charge of late-night broadcasts on a college radio show and played songs from Shaun Durkan’s former band Weekend on the air.
About 10 years later, Durkan played Temple of Angels songs on his own show, and when Morell reached out to thank him, this long-distance collaboration project was born.
The two created a musical mood with 90s classics from artists like Natalie Imbruglia, Sneaker Pimps, and The Sundays, and began experimenting purely for enjoyment without expectations or constraints.
Morell, who is from Texas and based in Los Angeles, and Durkan from Portland, record at home without being tied to a fixed location, creating “songs they want to hear.”
Success of Previous Work ‘extra life’
Their debut EP ‘extra life,’ released in 2023, faithfully and freely expressed alternative rock, Britpop, trip-hop, and electronica, receiving high praise from both fans and critics immediately after its release.
Pitchfork described it as “serene without being sentimental, effortless widescreen dream pop,” and NPR praised its “deep sense of place and time.”
These songs also caught the attention of Ghostly International label, which became crushed’s new label.
Background of ‘no scope’ Production
Meaning of the Album Title
The album title ‘no scope’ is inspired by video game terminology.
A “no scope” kill refers to shooting with a sniper rifle at close range without looking through the scope, serving as a clever metaphor for two artists following their pop impulses and creating intuitively with precision.
“It might also mean like, having no future,” Morell jokes. “Getting no-scoped by life.”
Evolution of the Production Process
Following the success of ‘extra life,’ crushed focused on selection and concentration, refinement, and leveling up for ‘no scope,’ dedicating themselves to improving quality over their previous work.
Morell and Durkan began creating songs remotely, then alternated sessions between their homes and co-producer/mixer Jorge Elbrecht’s house.
For them, having exclusively self-produced until now, working with an external producer was a first-time experience.
Elbrecht, who has worked with Japanese Breakfast, Hatchie, and Weyes Blood, brought his accomplished ear for melody and structure, helping to narrow down dozens of demo songs.
“Jorge was so supportive of our ideas,” says Durkan. “We’re just really grateful to have him on the album. I don’t think it would sound as amazing as it does if he weren’t involved.”
Musical Challenges and Deepening
The group set goals for deeper, higher quality, and attention-grabbing brilliance. “We really wanted to push the extremes,” Durkan explains. “When it’s poppy, it’s really poppy, and when it’s dark and heavy, it’s darker and heavier.”
While ‘extra life’ used distortion for atmosphere creation, this work builds the worldview from scratch, sampling layers of guitar, bass, and synth from unused demos, functioning as a collage-like work that pays homage to J Dilla’s ‘Donuts.’
Album Content and Expression
Vocal Evolution
Musical progress is evident not only in the sonic aspects but also in Morell’s vocals confidently dominating the space.
Her dynamic and powerful voice sets the band apart from contemporary dream pop artists, cutting through with an up-front power that shares common ground with the essential hooks of Harriet Wheeler and Jeff Buckley.
Song Diversity and Consistency
Throughout ‘no scope,’ crushed combines high-energy songs (“meghan,” “celadon”), mid-tempo ballads (“heartcontainer,” “licorice,” “silene”), and moody passages, creating an engaging space that reflects the many successes and failures of navigating relationships while investing in oneself.
A bittersweet quality is woven throughout the record as the band grapples with fate and the choices that shape our lives.
At the center of the album is “oneshot,” which Morell calls “a toxic love song” that she wrote while repeatedly losing boss battles in ‘Metal Gear Solid.’
Additionally, a music video for the advance single “starburn” from the album has been released, allowing early experience of the album’s atmosphere.
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Track List:
1. exo
2. starburn
3. cwtch
4. heartcontainer
5. oneshot
6. airgap1
7. meghan
8. licorice
9. silene
10. weaponx
11. celadon
12. airgap2
Formats: Digital, CD, Vinyl
View on bandcampAbout BELONG Media/A-indie
BELONG Media is an indie music media outlet that started in 2012. We cover indie music from around the world, including Japan and overseas. In 2021, we appeared as a guest on J-WAVE’s “SONAR MUSIC.” In 2022, we launched “A-indie,” an English-language sister site focusing on Asian music.
- BELONG Media: [https://belongmedia.net/]
- A-indie: [https://a-indie.com/]
- x(BELONG Media): [https://x.com/BELONG_Media]
- x(Jingle Jungle Range Town Project): [https://x.com/JingleJungleRT]
- Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/belong_media]
- Link List: [https://linktr.ee/belong_media]
- Contact regarding this matter: BELONG Media/A-indie Email: [belongmagazine1967＠gmail.com](Please change “＠” to “@”)
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.