Illiterate Light kicked off the year with the release of their sophomore album, Sunburned, but the breakout duo already has new music ready to share. On September 15, the Virginia natives will unveil their 4-track EP Aloe, consisting of tracks penned during the creation of their latest record.
“On Sunburned, we really just tried to follow our intuition. Whatever felt exciting was what we followed,” vocalist and guitarist Jeff Gorman says in a statement. “In the midst of that, we took some fun and beautiful twists and turns and wrote plenty of songs that felt like they existed outside the album. Aloe is a collection of our favorites of those songs.”
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Comprised of Gorman and drummer Jake Cochran, Illiterate Light has earned critical praise for its energizing and experimental mix of modern rock, 1970s psychedelia, and thoughtful traditional folk. Aloe offers listeners a mix of tracks with themes and stories that deserve their own spotlight outside of Sunburned’s track list.
“Each song stands as its own island, with distinct themes and inspirations. ‘Don’t Settle Down’ was written amidst public protest as the Stonewall Jackson monument in Richmond, Virginia, was torn to the ground,” Gorman continues. “‘Always Always’ showcases Jake on lead vocals, ‘Cheap Divorce’ was inspired by a depressing billboard advertisement, and ‘All of Us’ is filled with rambling proverbs and mystical musings. We are thrilled to release them now amidst a big summer and fall tour schedule.”
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Illiterate Light are currently traveling across the U.S. for their ongoing headlining tour, including stops in Washington D.C., Nashville, Austin, New Orleans, Atlanta and Denver. You can find a complete list of upcoming concert dates at the band’s official website.
Watch the official music video for Illiterate Light’s new single “Don’t Settle Down” below:
Aloe Track List:
1. “Don’t Settle Down”
2. “Always Always”
3. “Cheap Divorce”
4. “All of Us”
Photo by Travis Legg / The Syndicate
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INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NOT TO BE LICENSED FOR ANY STANDALONE OR SPECIAL INTEREST BOOK PUBLISHING USE CONCERNING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND/OR STAGECOACH MUSIC FESTIVAL) Wynonna Judd is seen at Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse during the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Stagecoach)







