Growing Pains Released Daniel Loves Mandy Forever
The band crafted their latest studio album through a remote recording process spanning Oregon and Los Angeles.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Alternative
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The band Growing Pains has released their new album, Daniel Loves Mandy Forever, via Photo Finish Records. The project follows their 2023 release, Thought I Heard Your Car.
Why it matters
The band adopted a rigorous recording approach to move away from digital-heavy production techniques. They aimed to emulate the sonic quality of music recorded directly to tape to create a more inspiring result.
The new album is available for purchase on vinyl for $26. This release follows the band's previous studio effort, Thought I Heard Your Car, which arrived in 2023.
The players
Growing Pains
This musical group formed in 2018 and has previously released albums including Heaven Spots.
Photo Finish Records
This is the record label responsible for distributing the band's latest album.
Kyle Kraft
He is a member of the band who began recording drum parts for the new project in September 2024.
The details
Growing Pains members, who reside in cities including Portland and Los Angeles, built the album by layering instruments individually to overcome their geographic separation. The band wrote the bulk of the songs during a retreat near Detroit, Oregon, in August 2024, before Kyle Kraft began tracking drums in September 2024.
Timeline
The band formed in 2018.
The album Thought I Heard Your Car was released in 2023.
The band wrote most of the new songs during a retreat in August 2024.
Kyle Kraft started recording drums in September 2024.
Industry Dynamics
By intentionally moving away from the ease of using Ableton software, the band is pushing back against the digital-first production standards common in modern independent music. This creative pivot highlights a broader shift toward analog-inspired recording techniques in the alternative scene.
Fans can purchase the new album on vinyl for $26. Because the band members reside in different cities, the recorded material relies on layered studio production rather than live ensemble performances.
The takeaway
The band overcomes the challenges of long-distance collaboration by meticulously layering instruments during late-night studio sessions. This process allows them to maintain a consistent sound while living in different parts of the country.
Further reading
For more news on the local music scene, visit Alternative.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Willamette Week.
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Do you prefer the sound of digitally polished music or recordings that mimic vintage analog tape?
