Bellissimo disco , Matt Mondanile è un grande autore di canzoni, consigliatissimo a tutti gli amanti del nuovo pop dalle sonorità che ricordano gli anni passati.
This album is awesome! Ducktails went in a different direction with this album. The older albums had a bit more instrumental tracks, where this album focused a little more on the lyrical ability of the group. The dreamy sound of the flower lane is a good listen multiple multiple times over. I recommend it strongly 5 out of 5 for sure.
Cette version à 30 euros n'est absolument pas l'édition limitée et n'a absolument rien à envier au vinyle à 20 euros. Je me suis fait avoir ! A part ça, le disque est super :)
This is quite a departure from previous Ducktails LPs - almost completely gone are the fuzzy 'Chillwave' signifiers and ushered in is a super-smooth mix of classic 80's alt-rock/indie jangle, the US MOR pop rock of Supertramp and Fleetwood Mac but with the crafty editorial sense to remove the more excessive, self-indulgent elements this would suggest. The overall feel is closer to Matt Monandile's 'other band' Real Estate but is often more reminiscent of a poppier cousin to Ariel Pink's 'Before Today' LP (particularly Under Cover, Timothy Shy and the ruthlessly groovy Assistant Director).
Opening tracks Ivy Covered House and The Flower Lane are winsome, fey indie numbers like lazy, stoned summer afternoons. Sedan Magic could almost be Deacon Blue (No, wait! Don't run away!) but there are enough little flourishes of sighing synth and swirling guitar to make it a lovely pop confection. International Date Line is a brief metronomic, chugging motorik instrumental harking back to earlier Ducktails. Letters of Intent is an oil-slick-smooth slow jam with gorgeous vocals by Jessa Farkas. Closer Academy Avenue is more like the Ducktails of 'Landscapes' with spiralling, echoic guitars and de-tuned vocals.
As a whole it's not an entirely cohesive album but this is never the point with Ducktails. The attention to small detail is impeccable - the Fender Rhodes on The Flower Lane, the grin-inducing synth sax breaks on Under Cover, the wah-wah wig out on Supertramp-esque Timothy Shy, the chiming Johnny Marr guitar of Planet Phrom - making it a joyous listen.
Post Script 4th March: After having this pretty much on repeat since buying and finding myself involuntarily whistling various tracks I have realised I bleedin' love this album. Four stars turns to five...