Lowertown’s New Single “Antibiotics” Lets us Know There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel

By: Nadya Barghouty

Photo: Savanna Hughes

The Gaping Mouth was one of my top albums of 2021. That was not, however, the first time I’d heard of Lowertown. I remember when their first single “George” was released my sophomore year of college. The track perfectly harked back to 2010’s twee—think Feist’s “1234” but much less folk-sy and not tainted from consumerism by that one iPod commercial. “George” felt oddly comforting in a time of so much personal change, so because of that, the band will always have a special place in my heart. 

Lowertown has grown a lot since the release of “George”. The Atlanta indie-pop duo made up of singer Olivia Osby and Avshalom Weinberg now has three full EPs under their belt in the span of four years. Sonically, their music has become more interesting, but their lyrics stay heartbreaking and honest, tinged with a bit of mystery. 

“Antibiotics” begins with a strong, whiny synth. The vibrating pitch feels ominous, almost like a theremin. The synth fades into the background of the track as more sounds layer over and the vocals build, only peeking back through the layers one or two more times. The track is about Osby’s clarity after leaving a toxic relationship. Not only was the relationship emotionally toxic, but Osby’s partner at the time had black mold growing in the walls of his house. She said, “I felt like the conditions of the relationship were quite literally poisoning my body and mind, like a sick and funny metaphor.” The desperate stream-of-consciousness lyrics waiver between literal and whimsical. Lines like “Peel yourself off the floor” and “stop tearing into my skin” clearly detail Osby’s struggles with her partner. After learning about the truth behind the track, “Antibiotics” became more triumphant and even comforting. 

Weinberg’s instrumentation joins Osby’s vocals in the classic math rock way: a little bit free form and sometimes disconnected. With that being said, everything still feels aligned and pointed. When Osby first sings, “I don’t love you any more…I won’t let you in,” she sounds weary. It is as if she is convincing herself of these things but not exactly on stable footing. However, near the end of the track, she repeats the same lyrics but they feel different. Layered harmonies envelope the words in power and assurance. The wavering synth appears again, stronger and faster. The track ends with nostalgic and more uplifting, repetitive riffs. The last words in the song are: “I won’t let you in.” Osby’s clarity is recognized and now she can focus on moving forward, past the old relationship and the corpse she became because of it.

Lowertown paints poetic pictures of youth and heartbreak with a late 90’s, indie-rock sound. “Antibiotics” is one of two singles released from their upcoming album I Love to Lie out October 21 on Dirty Hit. If you happen to be in NYC, catch Lowertown’s album release show that same day with other exciting performances.