The All-Night Costume Company, the ninth solo effort from Tacoma, WA’s Kye Alfred Hillig, is the album that almost wasn’t.
After the release of his double LP in 2022, Hillig was feeling disillusioned and stepped away from music for the first time in more than 20 years. But quitting didn’t stick and instead served, in part, as a source for new material. Throughout the dozen songs here, Hillig weaves in themes of perseverance and getting by. In the first moments of the album, on “The Horrible Truth,” he puts vulnerabilities and existential dread over a mid-tempo beat. It’s not the best track on the album, but it offers a map of what’s to follow — stark, sometimes painfully honest truths of life over a solid indie rock soundtrack. But there is also a sense of gratitude that runs through the record.
“Ezekiel Bobbing for Apples,” another mid-tempo song driven by piano, is one of the highlights on this record, boasting Hillig’s strong, emotive vocals over insightful lyrics. The sharp hooks and harmonies just add to the appeal. “Divorce of Course of Course” leans into bluegrass, with his pleading vocals set over steady drumming and banjo, while “How Desperate We Are” finds Hillig at his most earnest, mourning over a beautiful piano melody. “Our Remaining Pig” is another stunning moment, offering an unusual lyrical metaphor and sounding like he’s channeling early ’80s Peter Gabriel. The record closes strong on the more rock-focused “Cut Off All Your Hair,” with his vocals building to an emotional peak, matching the guitar’s buildup for an emotionally satisfying release.
Like much of his solo work, The All-Night Costume Company blends indie rock with folk and alt-country for a stripped-down, quietly confessional vibe. For an album born out of disillusionment, it ultimately feels like a reaffirmation of resilience and of Hillig’s place among one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dependable songwriters. With The All-Night Costume Company, Hillig takes what could have been a quiet exit and instead offers a testament to sticking around.
