For those unaware, a family band like no other, Secret Monkey Weekend returns with sparkling sophomore album Lemon Drop Hammer on June 6th, 2025.

Comprising seasoned guitarist/vocalist Jefferson Hart and his stepdaughters Ella (bass/vocals) and Lila Brown-Hart (drums/vocals), the North Carolina trio’s harmony-heavy Beatles/Squeeze songwriting, charming lyricism, and familial chemistry is channeled into 10 tracks helmed by revered REM/Smithereens producer Don Dixon.

“I wasn’t prepared for Jefferson’s tremendous talent as a writer, player and singer,” said Dixon. “These three individuals have combined to make something I love [and] grown, literally and figuratively, in front of my eyes.”

1. So Much Joy
2. Na Nanana
3. Merida
4. We Can Be Friends
5. Things You Threw Away
6. Lemon Drop Hammer
7. Walking Between Raindrops
8. Way Way Out
9. Naoma
10. Mimi

Secret Monkey Weekend (a name derived from a vintage Tiger Beat magazine headline), who began as purely organic family therapy, with no plans for anything more, open their impassioned new album on the late ’60s/early ’70s alt-rock appeal of So Much Joy, then bring us the lushly mid-tempo Na Nanana, the highly appealing Merida, the free flowing, summery delights of We Can Be Friends and then the alt-pop vibe of Things You Threw Away is brought forth.

The propellent, all-embracing title track Lemon Drop Hammer (a title inspired by Jefferson witnessing Laura assault a bag of congealed candy with said tool) is along next and that is in turn backed by the low ebb alt-grunge sound of Walking Between Raindrops, the slightly harder edged Way Way Out, the set rounding out on the heartfelt Naoma, coming to an all too soon close on the ’90s-hued, fuzzy guitar and tambourine brilliance of Mimi.

www.secretmonkeyweekend.com