Music News

Folk-Psych Duo @ Breaks Down New Album Autosmile and Their Evolving Creative Process

Victoria Rose and Stone Filipczak reflect on stepping into a more intentional sound, crafting songs on acoustic guitar, and letting live shows shape their latest record on 4AD.

Release Snapshot

• Artist: @ (Victoria Rose & Stone Filipczak)
• Latest Album: Autosmile
• Record Label: 4AD
• Prior Releases: Mind Palace Music, Are You There God? It’s Me @

A Shift Toward Intentional Craftsmanship

The elusive folk-psychedelia group @, composed of Victoria Rose and Stone Filipczak, has officially released their latest record, Autosmile, via 4AD. Following earlier projects such as Mind Palace Music and Are You There God? It’s Me @, the new album represents a deliberate expansion of their signature sound.

While the duo's early work grew organically on platforms like Bandcamp without fixed expectations, Autosmile required a far more involved process. The release features fuller arrangements, integrating orchestral accents such as flute passages and melancholic cello alongside their established stacked harmonies.

Inside the Studio Process

Acoustic CoreSongs begin as acoustic guitar scaffolding before additional instrumentation and overdubs are built on top.

Private & Separate RecordingThe pair work separately from home without heavy studio equipment, allowing space to write without external pressure.

Vignette SongwritingRather than traditional narrative arcs, lyrics function as ambient emotional vignettes and existential reflections on everyday life.

How Live Shows Shaped the Record

Unlike their debut album, playing live directly transformed the tracks on Autosmile. The duo noted that several songs evolved on stage prior to being locked into their final studio versions.

• 'Love In The Dark': Re-recorded after Filipczak created a new guitar solo during a live performance.
• 'Earthly Love': Features a simultaneous three-part vocal harmony recorded to capture the group's live energy.

Autosmile is out now via 4AD.