Music video from The High Plains Drifters

New York-based outfit The High Plains Drifters have been making an impact in the music scene since their eponymous debut record in 2019. Led by frontman Larry Studnicky, the band is a collective of accomplished musicians including John Macom, Mike DoCampo, Kyle Cassel, Charles Czarnecki and Dave Richards.

Together, they create a sound that’s as genre-fluid as it is compelling, blending elements of Americana, pop and rock into a unique musical output. The band’s debut album showcased their ability to craft songs that are musically rich and lyrically engaging, a trait they’ve continued to build on in the years since.

Following a series of successful singles, The High Plains Drifters are now gearing up for the release of their much-anticipated sophomore album, set to drop next year. But before that, they’ve given us a taste of what’s to come with their latest single, “Summer Girl (Redux).”

“Summer Girl (Redux)” is a breezy, Americana-tinged pop track that perfectly distils the easygoing yet moving sound The High Plains Drifters have become known for. With flutters of guitar and bright steel pan tones add layers of texture, there’s a warmth to the production that feels like a gentle summer evening, perfectly aligning with the song’s title and overall vibe.

The band has always had a flair for blending different genres into something uniquely their own, and “Summer Girl (Redux)” is another superb example of this approach. There’s a touch of folk in the storytelling, the wide appeal of pop in the catchy melodies and a hint of rock in the guitar elements, all coming together to create a track that’s at once accesible and original.

The accompanying music video is as much a part of the storytelling as the lyrics themselves, offering a fantasised reflection of a middle-aged man looking back on his life through the lens of past loves. The video takes the viewer on a journey through the main character’s memories with each woman who appears in the video representing a different chapter in his life, from the femme fatale who first broke his heart to the ex-wife who took him to the cleaners. The video ultimately leads to a poignant conclusion, where the man finds hope in the rare woman who accepts him as he is, with nothing left to give but love and a willingness to try again.

Watch the music video for Summer Girl (Redux) below