what I’m doing instead of watching football [single reviews]

By Ryan G

[words by Ryan, photo by Mariah]

Rafting – “Loading Screen”: Rafting is the moniker of Dallin Stevenson, the former frontman of psych-rock-turned-psych-pop collective Turtle Island. This is psych pop melded with dream pop at it’s finest. Dallin’s vocals are buried in layers of synth tones that are at once warm and cool. My mind’s eye sees colors that are light and cool, while the effect of the music itself is something like being comforted by a friend. The circumstances aren’t sad. This music exists in a void meant to make you forget the world and zone out into another reality… in a healthy way, of course.

Tiger Drive – “Together”: From Stranger Things to songs that could fit on movie trailers, Nashville’s Tiger Drive is putting their own spin on pop-rock for the masses. The message of their latest single is straightforward: “Nothing can take from this moment that we have together.” This song is the camaraderie anthem the world has been waiting for. Tiger Drive has steadily built swirling analog synthesizer into their signature sound, and the result in this song is something between Mutemath, M83, and Imagine Dragons—yet completely original all the same. When I experienced this song in a live setting in June I got the sense this could become the band’s signature song, and I hope I’m right.

My Ultra Violet – “Wilde As Me”: I’m going to call this song style “cinematic dream pop.” It takes influences from groups like Broods and Beach House. A driving, simple drum beat is the backbone of the song—when bands take this approach I always find it compelling. The chorus has an irresistible hook, too. According to the press release, the goal of the song is a little different than that of most of their peers in the LA scene. I think you should listen and try to guess what that is. However, if you just get caught up in the melody, I’ll understand.

Captain Kidd – “Wide Eyes”: Anyone that has been keeping track of Captain Kidd in 2018 won’t be surprised by anything this song has to offer. It’s clear they have been taking the year to hone in on a new, signature psych-influenced pop sound reminiscent of hanging out amidst the soft glow of lights in the dark. “Wide Eyes” stands apart from the other singles by coming across more down to earth and less ethereal. This song would work equally well as a set opener or a set closer—the former because it carries a welcoming vibe, and the latter because there’s definitely a sense of community that permeates the track.

andrews’ – “Through the Night”: You might recognize this project as the alter-ego of Michael Cronin, who can frequently be seen manning the keys at Vesperteen live shows. Like the song by My Ultra Violet mentioned above, “Through the Night” makes good use of the “less is more” effect in percussion. Nothing in this song is something I haven’t heard before—yet it all melds together in a way that is pretty satisfying. I do enjoy how the song makes me think it’s going to be a power ballad before that beat kicks in, and I realize “Nah, not quite!” If you want a heartwarming pop tune, here ya go!

 

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