Soupless, a duo from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, arrived on the alternative rock scene with their album The Outside - an exploration of overlapping journeys and beginnings and endings. Known for blending time-tested sounds of the genre with their own unique approach, this album tests the boundaries of Soupless’s chill yet eclectic take on alternative rock.

The Outside is not only a metaphor for their debut into the scene, but it’s a way to conceptualize leaving their dorm-room-turned-recording-studio. The duo, guitarist and producer Matthew Aasen and vocalist Aiden Rinaldo, became roommates during their studies at Belmont University in Nashville.

Of the album, Rinaldo reflected on its meaning to Soupless and the audience they hope to reach. “The album came together almost by accident… I think it could make a big splash if it falls into the right hands or the right circles that would really engage with it and try to understand it.”

In many ways, their debut also marks the end of a journey and the beginning of a new one. Though their dorm room recording studio era has come to an end, their 10-song album marks the beginning to a consistent cycle of rebirth and rediscovery as musicians. First released as a single, ‘In The Mirror’ is a story that tells itself– an inner battle, the big moments and the small ones, and an ever-present tumble with fate’s will. A cymbal crash represents the breaking glass of that reflection and a turn towards something new, something Asen and Rinaldo accomplish wholeheartedly in this release.

When asked about their favorite songs on the album, ‘In The Mirror’ and ‘Tick On’ were tied for first. “Both have the strength of tackling abstract but relevant topics, but have different approaches,” said Rinaldo. “In The Mirror’s climax with the glass shattering right in the middle of the album is certainly there for a reason, and is super memorable. Tick On has an awesome guitar solo in the end and has a trippier vibe, tackling the constructs of time lyrically and with the instruments echoing similar sentiments.”

There is no doubt that this album digs a little deeper than previous EPs. Every song has that feeling that there’s more than meets the ear on first listen– whether it’s the lyrics, the mood of the instruments, or the production. Soupless has used their EP Polly’s and single releases to explore their sound from their groovy and bluesy foundations to create their debut album. The Outside gives a deeper dive into the psychedelic and dreamy guitar and lyrics, moving between Soupless’s classic alternative sound and experimenting further with heavier, more demanding sonic themes.

Aasen described the songs he felt were the biggest risks. “K9 and Keep On Going were risks out of our comfort zone in quite opposing ways. K9 features some more modern production elements, including a big synth bass that strays a bit from our typical palette. There’s also some prominent synth chords that were different from anything in songs we’ve put out in the past. Keep On Going took an acoustic vibe, with acoustic instruments serving as the foundation,” he said. “We leaned into an unpolished, rougher sound on this one that is very apparent in the vocals. The choices we made when creating these songs ultimately were to serve the song.”

Soupless primarily performs in their local Nashville scene, though Aasen hails from the DMV. Recently, the band performed at the Belmont University Rock Showcase near Nashville, an event that provides both student performers and behind-the-scenes leaders a chance to show off their skills both on and off stage while boasting some impressive alums– including Judah & The Lion, COIN, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, and Brad Paisley. Soupless emerged from the showcase as the overall winner, giving them the chance to play and compete at the Best of the Best Showcase in April 2026.

We hope you enjoy the album as much as we did.  We look forward to Soupless venturing further beyond Nashville, and especially look forward to greeting Aasen back to the DMV as a returning hometown hero.