New Release: Spiral Bound by Diary (Kanine Records)

New York City’s Diary have released their debut full-length album Spiral Bound, which is peppered with 80s jangly guitars and 90s Manchester vibes, all blending with the shoegazey aughts. This genre-bending collection of songs is sure to grab the attention of serious music fans.

Longtime friends Kevin Bendis on vocals and guitarist Chris Croarkin formed Diary, releasing two EPs in the early 2020’s. The duo soon added drummer Adam Sachs, Jessica Dye on guitar and vocals, and bassist Yan Kogan.

The band released its first single and video this summer “Keep Comin’ Up,” a clear nod to that Madchester sound, possessing heavy Stone Roses and Happy Mondays vibes. It maintains a groove that’ll imbed itself in your cerebral cortex for a good while.

Recently, “Drive It” was dropped with an equally mysterious video, a sorta 21st century Falling Down with the protagonist (antagonist?) experiencing a full-on mental breakdown seemingly caused by the frustration of everyday life. I feel this in 2026.

A Marr-ish guitar ushers in “The Same Door” and my mind is pulled back to discovering the Smiths in the 80s. But comparison is the thief of joy someone once retorted. I’ll go with that and enjoy Diary’s fresh, tight sound. The individual contributions from each of these musicians is evident, sounding like a band who’ve been jamming together for years.

“Already Dead” is reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr. on speed, even referencing the 90s with “Bring it back to a time and space / When everything was fine / Cigarettes and mp3s / And you weren’t on my mind.” More genre-defying stuff. And while “Blue Sunshine” may or may not be referencing Robert Smith’s album of the same name with his 1983 project The Glove, it radiates a gothy ambience.

Not to go out with a whimper, the bass-heavy “Asterisk” closes the 10-track album with a true rocker. Bendis provides his echoey and impassioned vocals singing, “I can’t bring myself to fall in love with someone else again,” clearly a breakup song but it’s everything but sad.

Spiral Bound is a wonderfully balanced album, full of well-written, powerfully-played songs. All they need is a little exposure, so share with all you know. Here’s hoping Diary gains the success they’ve earned, and fans will see more music and tours.

For more information on Diary and Spiral Bound, visit their website and Bandcamp page.