If the colorful and hazy artwork didn’t already give it away, the Queens multi-instrumentalist Frankie Sunswept is well versed in psychedelic sounds, and these songs with The Silvermoons make for a retro and modern debut.
The title track finds itself in the lead off position, and brings Sunswept’s lively bass and animated drumming to lush and nostalgic pop that swirls with melody. “Now” follows with playful synth and soulful singing thanks to Kimberly Haven, and the textured fun of “Futureless” follows with some garage rock spirit buried into the throwback ideas.
“Dream Eyes” and “Melting Summer” land in the middle. The former places Kyle Morgan on vocals alongside no lack of melodies, and the latter unfolds with a blurry and cautious mood that has Morgan singing, too.
The last 5 songs are equally well done. “Change” emits much harmony in a glowing and crisp climate, but it’s the dense bass playing, traces of folk-rock and Sam Harmet’s saxophone that makes “Tears Of A Crocodile” the album’s best.
Near the end, “Dog Days” is percussively strong and stylish, and “Atavism” puts Sean Cronin on bass amid the brightest tune. “Surrendering” exits, and is a bit more muscular thanks to the scrappy drumming, chunky bass and flowing vocals that flirts with alt-rock.
Sunswept plays guitar, bass, mellotron, keys, organ, synth, percussion, drums and sings and wrote all the songs with Haven. The many influences include Ethio-jazz, Krautrock, ’60s psych-rock, African rock, South American folk music, soul, garage and even prog and metal. To say that this makes for an unclassifiable listen is a massive understatement. It also makes for one of the most interesting and memorable records of the year and a really uniquely great first album.
