gemini://senders.io/gemlog/2021-03-10-music-spotlight-slow-pulp.gmi

We're 10 weeks into the year, I'm still procrastinating my write-up on my favorite new album of 2020 and I find a new release from a band I've never heard of that just sweeps me away.

Rather than unfairly have them compete against albums and EPs I found IN 2020 they'll get a spotlight: The band is Slow Pulp and the album is Moveys.

Before I get into my write-up check them out. I'll be focusing on their 2020 album Moveys: A dreamy 90s shoegaze album that I really enjoyed.

I found this band from a YouTube recommendation for the KEXP performance a week(?) or so ago. It was exactly what I needed. Before I go into why here is the link to the KEXP performance:

I had a rough end of last week. There was an incident at work that left me with a bundle of stress. Finding a soothing album really hit the spot. It was the perfect blend of ethereal music with top-notch female vocals that landed right in that nostalgic shoegazey sweet spot.

I will probably do a separate write-up for this but I connect more with the instrumentation of tracks than the lyrics. So you'll rarely find me ever mentioning the message of a song. I hear vocals as another instrument and the way they color the track.

I listened to the KEXP performance on repeat all weekend really taking in all of the tracks and sounds. I was nervous to venture into the album because I've been let down before - finding a killer KEXP performance only for the album version to be less-than-exciting this is not the case here. They're definitely better, but it's not Sultans of Swing, where if you're not listening to the live version you're just doing yourself an injustice.

The albums opening track "New Horse" is an odd choice in my opinion. If I had started with the album I probably wouldn't have made it past this track. It's by no means, bad. It is just not (without context) up my alley. An albums first track can make or break an album. At 2 minutes though it acts as the opening band getting you warmed up for the rest of the album. "Trade It" is where the album really starts.

"Trade It" starts of slow, drawing you in with clean guitar and whispering vocals. It's over a minute before we get bass or keys, and the drums are still absent. Then it hits... A Genesis-like toms-centered drumming and a pleasant mix of musical timbre that envelope your ears. It draws you into the album and sets you up for the remaining 20 minutes.

"Idaho" is, for me, the single on the album. While "Trade It" may be the more musically rich track. It's a perfect poppy 90s soundtrack song. And I could listen to it on repeat for hours. This song is missing its killer fuzzy solo from the KEXP performance on the record but if you didn't know there is an amazing solo missing you'd never really know the wiser.

The next track "Track" begins with an 'excelent' sample that feels out of place but pays off in the titular track "Moveys" being also a non sequitur. But once the track beings for real it sets the tone for the middle of the album. Just solid dreamy indie music. Comfortable and nostalgic.

"Whispers (In The Outfield)" is an instrumental keys lead track that is just musically really powerful and worth a mention.

"Falling Apart" is the only track where it's vocals really stood out for me. It's clearly the focus for the song. Which has an even stronger impact by following an instrumental. And pairs well with the next track "Montana".

The album closes with "Moveys" a hip-hop DJ track that somehow just 'fits', and honestly is the perfect closer for this record.

Unsurprising the tracks I focused on in my write-up were my favorites.

I hope at the very least you queued up the album to listen to. It's only 26 minutes! I'd have to check but it may be the SHORTEST LP I've purchased. I own some EPs that are shorter, but _barely_.

If you've got an hour watch the KEXP Performance and Interview, DJ Morgan is a great host. The band goes into some songwriting and meaning too so if you feel I really only touched the surface of the tracks - the band really goes into more detail (more than a casual listener ever could anyway :P).

If you liked the album let me know. I lurk on the IRC or my email is the feed.

Music Spotlight: Slow Pulp

Music

When you find exactly what you've been looking for

Disclaimer: How I listen to music

The Spotlight

Favorite Tracks

Final Thoughts