Formed in Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart arrived at a moment when a new generation of bands were rediscovering the C86, Sarah Records and early Creation lineage — but few did it with as much confidence as Kip Berman's project. Their self-titled 2009 debut fused blown-out guitar fuzz with unapologetically bright, hooky songwriting, drawing as much from American noise-pop bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Yo La Tengo as from the UK jangle-pop tradition. The record's mix of scrappy DIY energy and huge melodic instincts made it a favourite of the blog-era indie scene and helped define what "twee" and "shoegaze revival" meant to a new audience discovering those sounds for the first time. Since then the band has continued to release music and evolve their sound, but it's that debut — messy, joyful, and endlessly hummable — that remains the reference point for anyone tracing the DNA of modern indiepop.
| Release | Label | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pains of Being Pure at Heart | Slumberland Records | View → |
FAQ
How do I buy The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's vinyl releases directly?
Slumberland Records' official store is the most direct route, putting the money toward The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and the label instead of a reseller.
Will The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's records get reissued or restocked on vinyl?
No confirmed plans yet. Sign up for restock alerts to be notified as soon as that changes.
Can't find The Pains of Being Pure at Heart in stock, or only at a markup — what should I do?
Avoid overpriced reseller listings — keep an eye on Slumberland Records directly, since that's where restocks and repressings tend to land first.
Last verified July 10, 2026
