Rhododendron Release New Single Like Spitting Out Copper

Portland-based trio Rhododendron has released a new single titled Like Spitting Out Copper, serving as a precursor to their upcoming album, Ascent Effort. The new record is scheduled for release on May 15, 2026, via the label The Flenser.

The single is described as a proggy metallic shapeshifter characterized by harsh ghoulish vocals and a structural approach featuring winding twists and turns. According to the band, the track provides insight into the broader direction of Ascent Effort, an album that captures themes of growth, personal change, and instability.

Thematic Origins and Composition

Multi-instrumentalist Ezra Chong noted that Like Spitting Out Copper was the first song written for the album following his move to Eugene, Oregon, for school. Chong described the decision to move as one he would eventually upend, though he views it as a positive choice at the time.

The shift in environment is mirrored in the music. Chong stated that this period marked the point where the band began evolving their sound rather than revisiting previous ideas. Thematically, the song addresses internal struggles and the emotional weight of daily existence.

It reflects the struggle of trying and failing to take care of basic daily needs, and the disillusionment that can build over time.

Ezra Chong

Rather than seeking resolution, the material on Ascent Effort allows tension to remain present, which the band uses to shape both the emotional and structural framework of the compositions.

Artistic Style and Influence

Formed in 2019, Rhododendron has developed a sonic identity that blends technical precision with repetition and structural experimentation. Their work draws from a diverse array of influences, including:

• Underground rock from the 1980s and 1990s
• Elements of jazz
• Ambient music
• Progressive music

The band’s compositions are built around shifting dynamics. Their approach involves riffs that evolve through fragmentation and reconstruction, while their rhythms are designed to move between states of structure and collapse.

This experimental approach has been developed through consistent live performance. The trio has refined its material in real time while performing within the local music scene in Portland, Oregon.

The release of Like Spitting Out Copper represents the second single from the upcoming project, further establishing the atmospheric and technical tone of Ascent Effort ahead of its May 15 release date.