Album Review: The Regulars – Lights Get Low

Published On: July 3rd, 2026|

Lights Get Low is a landmark release for Boxborough, Massachusetts, outfit The Regulars, and not just musically, but for the band itself.

Until now, it was the project of Jeff Clarke with a cast of collaborators, the album led to The Regulars becoming a full live band – and what is most surprising about Lights Get Low is that you’d swear it was the other way round. Over its seven songs, you’d easily believe that they brought the energy of the live performances into the studio.

The second track on the album, Crutch, has the spirit and sound of a live recording: for one, the vocals of Jeff Clarke and Julia Fernandez-Turk contrast and complement each other. Clarke has an unfiltered and emotionally commanding indie-rock presence; Fernandez-Turk is self-contained, more Americana-leaning, and adept at switching the role of her vocals within the track with ease. That ability to harmonise and change lanes to backing vocals as the emotional and lyrical needs of Crutch require is quite the feat.

Clarke leads the vocals on the majority of Lights Get Low and is equally versatile at harnessing his voice to channel the doomy rock of Evening Phase and the late-evening ballad of Petrified Wood to greater heights.

The album doesn’t outstay its welcome, but clocking in at around twenty minutes, you are left wanting more of its mix of indie, rock, and hook-heavy rock and roll. It allows itself a broad canvas in that short run time, from late-70s Springsteen on Crutch to the pre-grunge alt-rock sounds of 90s Seattle that is Evening Phase, via the Petty-like wistfulness of Empty Dose.

It got me seeking out their 2023 album Opposite Eyes, and while its power pop and ’00s indie sound still plays a role on Lights Get Low, the expansive, cohesive, and collaborative energy of the latter has more dimensions and sets the band on the path to delivering some impressive future releases.

Lights Get Low was released on the 15th of May and is streaming on all major digital musical outlets, including Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Spotify. Connect with The Regulars on Instagram or Facebook for band news, and other streaming options for their music.