Indie pop-rock band Strings and Heart is made up of three brothers (Angelo, Michael, & Eric Espinoza) from Arizona who clearly want to do more than just make catchy tunes; they're chasing something honest and lasting with their music. On their second full-length album, Plastic Wine, sibling chemistry is on full display. This familiarity gives the project a natural ease and authenticity that sets them apart in the crowded indie landscape. Also, this record is fun.

What excites me most is that the band has finally pulled their many singles, and EP tracks, from the last few years into one cohesive collection. For longtime listeners, it's a rewarding moment to hear it all flow together without faltering. In addition, newcomers get the gift of discovering a strong, unified listening experience from the start. Instead of sounding like a stitched-together playlist, Plastic Wine plays like a well-crafted journey that showcases who Strings and Heart are and what they're about.

Musically, these guys fall comfortably in the indie pop-rock lane, landing somewhere between Colony House and Gable Price & Friends. Notably, they list among their influences The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Nirvana, and Switchfoot. That versatility, and their inspirations across the record, are a real strength. They can kick things off with a barn-burning, rock moment in "Kerosene," swing into a surf rock track like "Oasis for My Soul," and then slow things down for a mid-tempo moment in "Honeydew (Praise the Lord)." The fact that they can do it all while remaining explicitly Christ-centered is a real testament to their ethos. Their reimagined take on the worship staple, "I Thank God," is another prime example of their eclectic nature -- by filtering it through their surfer sensibilities, they manage to breathe new life into a song that could have easily felt worn out.

Personal highlights abound. "Dopamine" has an addictive punk-lite groove that practically demands a head bob, while "Oasis for My Soul" feels like the perfect soundtrack to a late night summer drive. Ultimately, it takes the cake for my favorite song of the tracklist, and of the band's career to this point. "Evergreen Love" brings an ear worm warmth that lingers long after the track ends, and "Flowers Dressed in Blue" skitters musically, while the catchy "oh" refrain will get lodged in your brain. Be sure to stick around for the latter third of the song for a searing guitar solo that absolutely rips.

In short, Plastic Wine is a breezy (in length and tone) outing from a trio with obvious talent and heart. It's a record that wears its indie charm proudly while still pointing upward, and it leaves me excited to see where the brothers of Strings and Heart head next. For now, Plastic Wine has an outside shot at my Top 10 records of the year in an increasingly crowded field.

- Review date: 9/26/25, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

Record Label: None
Album length: 13 tracks: 36 minutes, 54 seconds
Street Date: September 26, 2025
Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

1. kerosene (2:51)
2. oasis for my soul (2:17)
3. honeydew (praise the Lord) (3:44)
4. good shepherd (3:58)
5. flowers dressed in blue (2:34)
6. backseat drive (2:55)
7. evergreen love (2:58)
8. i thank God (surf rock version) (3:41)
9. wildfire (2:41)
10. empty airport (2:18)
11. bright eyed (2:01)
12. dopamine (2:02)
13. sunset silhouette (2:56)