Car Seat Headrest - The Scholars

Set at the fictional Parnassus University, The Scholars follows a cast of students and staff caught in a loose narrative of life, death, and rebirth. Inspired by a fictional poem from “Archbishop Guillermo Guadalupe del Toledo” and brought to life with character designs by Cate Wurtz, the album's first half explores spiritual crisis and personal yearning, from the tortured Beolco to the questioning Devereaux.

The second half becomes an operatic clash between tradition and rebellion. Drawing from Shakespeare, Mozart, and classic rock operas like Tommy, each song stands alone as a vivid character moment. Self-produced and mostly recorded in analog, The Scholars finds Car Seat Headrest working as a true band. With expansive tracks like ‘Planet Desperation’ and sharp pop moments like ‘The Catastrophe’, it's their most ambitious and collaborative project yet—a dense, theatrical album that rewards deep listening.