Philadelphia indie folk outfit Sadurn have announced the release of their long-awaited second album, The Underworld, arriving 16th October via Run For Cover Records. Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled the album’s lead single, whole thing, accompanied by a beautifully understated music video that offers an emotional first glimpse into the band’s next chapter.
Sadurn
Four years on from their acclaimed debut Radiator, The Underworld sees Sadurn expanding their signature blend of indie folk, bedroom pop and alt-country into richer sonic territory while retaining the intimate songwriting that first won listeners over. Warm pedal steel flourishes, understated rhythms and lush vocal harmonies define whole thing, which gradually builds from quiet reflection into an emotionally powerful finale.
At the heart of the album is songwriter and vocalist G DeGroot, whose deeply personal lyrics chart a difficult period marked by heartbreak, chronic health issues and the pressure of following up a widely celebrated debut. Rather than attempting to recreate the success of Radiator, The Underworld documents the slow and often unpredictable process of recovery, both physically and emotionally.
Reflecting on the album’s title, DeGroot explains: “The underworld is the hard times, but it’s also about getting back. You go into the underworld so you can find clarity about your own being and come back changed. That’s just my fundamental belief about healing – it’s not about wallowing but you do need to move towards the darkness in order to transform it and get unstuck. It’s how you discover your most important powers.”
Following the release of Radiator in 2022, Sadurn suddenly found themselves navigating growing expectations after beginning life as what DeGroot describes as little more than a personal creative outlet. The pressure to immediately produce a follow-up coincided with the end of a significant relationship and a series of health challenges, including chronic pain and vocal issues that ultimately forced the project to pause.
Instead of pushing through, DeGroot stepped away entirely, spending months travelling, focusing on vocal rehabilitation and rediscovering the joy of making music without deadlines. That period of reflection ultimately became central to the creation of The Underworld, lending the record its themes of resilience, self-acceptance and transformation.
Musically, Sadurn continue to evolve. While Radiator often centred around sparse arrangements, the new record embraces the chemistry developed through years of touring together. Guitarist Jon Cox, bassist Tabitha Ahnert and drummer Amelia Swain bring a newfound confidence to the recordings, with expressive pedal steel, expansive guitar work and subtle dynamics giving the songs greater emotional depth without sacrificing their intimacy.
Lead single whole thing perfectly encapsulates that evolution. Beginning with gentle acoustic textures before gradually unfolding into a sweeping crescendo, the song highlights both DeGroot’s vulnerable songwriting and the band’s increasingly expansive sound.
The nine-track album was completed after DeGroot’s return to Philadelphia, with mixing handled by Mark Watters at The Headroom. The finished record reflects not only a period of grief and uncertainty but also the acceptance that emerged from working through it.
Rather than simply documenting pain, The Underworld ultimately offers hope, presenting healing not as a destination but as an ongoing process. It’s an album rooted in honesty, patience and the belief that growth often comes from confronting life’s darkest moments rather than avoiding them.
With whole thing, Sadurn have delivered a quietly captivating introduction to what promises to be one of the year’s most emotionally resonant indie releases.
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