Snail Mail

About Snail Mail:

On Ricochet, her third album as Snail Mail, Lindsey Jordan reasserts herself as a generational songwriter—clear-eyed, emotionally precise, and more expansive than ever. While time has passed, Jordan’s sensitivity remains intact, now paired with hypnotic melodies and ornate string arrangements. Written during a period of deep reflection, Ricochet grapples with themes of mortality, vulnerability, and the uneasy realization that life continues regardless of personal turmoil.

Ricochet is Snail Mail’s first album in five years, and much has changed in the interim. Before touring 2021’s Valentine, Jordan underwent surgery for vocal polyps, followed by intensive speech therapy that ultimately led to greater confidence and control as a vocalist. She also made her acting debut in Jane Schoenbrun’s indie horror film I Saw the TV Glow, portraying a psychic, Buffy-inspired heroine. After leaving New York, Jordan eventually settled near Greensboro, North Carolina, where she continues to write and reflect.

Throughout this period, Jordan remained focused on creating new music. She approached the songwriting process with intention, writing instrumental and melodic foundations first before completing lyrics over the course of a year. This deliberate method allowed her to fully explore melody, texture, and emotional weight without leaving ideas behind.

The album was recorded in winter 2025 alongside producer Aron Kobayashi Ritch of the band Momma. Sessions took place at Fidelitorium Recordings in North Carolina—owned by legendary R.E.M. producer Mitch Easter—as well as Nightfly and Studio G in Brooklyn. The process was collaborative and comfortable, allowing Jordan to feel fully invested in every creative decision.

Sonically, Ricochet builds on Snail Mail’s compact but influential catalog, expanding on the poised guitar work of Lush and the raw energy of Valentine. The album draws from ’90s alternative rock touchstones, channeling the melodic brightness of the Smashing Pumpkins, Britpop-era Radiohead, shoegaze textures, power pop, and emo influences. The result is a lush, vibrant sound marked by unusual chord choices and rich atmospheres.

Lyrically, Jordan moves beyond the familiar territory of heartbreak, instead confronting emotional detachment, aging, friendship, and self-reflection. Ricochet explores the tension between feeling everything and feeling nothing, capturing the push and pull between connection and isolation. Despite its introspective nature, the album is also Snail Mail’s most transcendent work to date—an honest and immersive reflection on growth, distance, and the patterns we trace as we move through life.