Album artwork for Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz
Album artwork for Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz

On their debut full-length, Western Massachusetts' Speedy Ortiz manage a bit of magic by conjuring the spirits of classic American indie rock, while twisting those ghosts into new shapes. Sweet vocal harmonies run up against gnarly distortion, aided by chunky bass and heavy, fill-laden drums. Occult and supernatural themes run deep through Major Arcana, inspired by singer-guitarist Sadie Dupuis' readings on black magic. Dupuis' knotty and abstract lyrics bring to mind fellow wordsmith Stephen Malkmus, while referencing horror film tropes, chemistry, and neuroscience. Major Arcana's literal translation is "major mysteries," a phrase from tarot cards. "I don't write in a narrative way and am more concerned with use of language than meaning," Dupuis says, "so I like the open-endedness of the title and the way it invites interpretation."

Speedy Ortiz

Major Arcana

Carpark Records
Album artwork for Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz
LP +

$26.99

Goldfish Orange Vinyl

Includes download code
Released 04/22/2022Catalog Number

LP-CAK-087C

Learn more
Album artwork for Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz
LP +

$29.99

10 Year Anniversary Edition. Remastered.

The Star’s Sky Vinyl

Limited to 1100 copies
Released 11/17/2023Catalog Number

LP-CAK-087X

Learn more
Speedy Ortiz

Major Arcana

Carpark Records
Album artwork for Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz
LP +

$26.99

Goldfish Orange Vinyl

Includes download code
Released 04/22/2022Catalog Number

LP-CAK-087C

Learn more
Album artwork for Major Arcana by Speedy Ortiz
LP +

$29.99

10 Year Anniversary Edition. Remastered.

The Star’s Sky Vinyl

Limited to 1100 copies
Released 11/17/2023Catalog Number

LP-CAK-087X

Learn more

On their debut full-length, Western Massachusetts' Speedy Ortiz manage a bit of magic by conjuring the spirits of classic American indie rock, while twisting those ghosts into new shapes. Sweet vocal harmonies run up against gnarly distortion, aided by chunky bass and heavy, fill-laden drums. Occult and supernatural themes run deep through Major Arcana, inspired by singer-guitarist Sadie Dupuis' readings on black magic. Dupuis' knotty and abstract lyrics bring to mind fellow wordsmith Stephen Malkmus, while referencing horror film tropes, chemistry, and neuroscience. Major Arcana's literal translation is "major mysteries," a phrase from tarot cards. "I don't write in a narrative way and am more concerned with use of language than meaning," Dupuis says, "so I like the open-endedness of the title and the way it invites interpretation."