Them Coulee Boys’ latest album, No Fun in the Chrysalis, is a meditation on transformation—sometimes painful, sometimes hopeful, but always deeply human. From the first lines of the opener, “Change, etc.,” the band lays out its thesis: change is inevitable, and it often hurts, but it also offers new possibilities. That sentiment echoes across the album’s 11 tracks, where themes of love, loss, and self-discovery intertwine with the band’s signature blend of folk, rock, and Americana. Whether navigating heartbreak or personal growth, these songs feel like a companion for anyone facing life’s uncertainties.
Musically, the album stretches the band’s sonic palette while staying true to their rustic, heartfelt roots. “Up Close” swings with a breezy groove, nodding to Southern rock influences, while “Tomorrow, Tonight” strips things back to a delicate folk arrangement, letting the raw emotions take center stage. The ambitious “Ghosts (In 4 Parts)” builds from an intimate whisper into a swirling, full-band crescendo, showcasing the group’s willingness to push beyond conventional song structures. It’s a risk that pays off, solidifying their place in the lineage of bands unafraid to balance storytelling with musical experimentation.
Lyrically, No Fun in the Chrysalis doesn’t shy away from hard truths. “As Long As You Let Me” begins as a simple love song before unraveling into a stark reflection on loneliness, while “Harvey and Margie” paints a vivid portrait of two people looking back on life’s scoreboard, wondering if they made the right bets. Even in its heaviest moments, though, the album offers glimmers of redemption. “I Need a Friend” reminds us of the simple, sustaining power of human connection, and “I’m Not Sad Anymore” finds peace in acceptance, delivering a final, cathartic exhale to close out the record.
With Grammy-winning producer Brian Joseph at the helm, the album maintains a loose, organic feel, as if it were recorded in a single take on a late summer evening. Pedal steel, banjo, and harmonica weave through the arrangements, grounding the songs in traditional Americana while allowing for unexpected flourishes—echoes of ambient textures, a surf-rock-inspired harmony, or a sudden burst of distorted guitar. It’s a reminder that while Them Coulee Boys are rooted in folk traditions, they’re not bound by them.
Ultimately, No Fun in the Chrysalis is an album about transition—the messy, nonlinear process of growing into something new. It acknowledges the pain of change but also the quiet beauty in moving forward. Them Coulee Boys have crafted a record that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, a testament to resilience wrapped in warm, unvarnished melodies. – Jason Felton