Immersing with hovering rock anthems and introspective psych-folk detours alike, Open Freeway is the brand new album from Victims of the New Math, out on April twenty fourth. Songwriter Thomas Younger channels an audible love for ’60s storage rock and ’90s lo-fi inside a sound that’s each hook-laden and emotionally resonant. Mastered by Guided By Voices producer Todd Tobias, the discharge is a stirring listening expertise — from the power-pop blast of opener “Orange and Purple Skies” to the folk-rock ache of nearer “The Golden Age.”
“Orange and Purple Skies” opens the album with an anthemic hovering. “I’ll be no matter you need me to tonight,” Younger’s vocals let loose, complemented by a gentle backing guitar distortion, a sporadic twanging, and strumming acoustics. A wordless backing vocal punch lends to the infectious power-pop spell, which slows down seamlessly at mid-point earlier than a re-invigorating send-off of fuzzy distortion. The following “Apology Implied” unveils a extra dazed, psych-friendly introspection. “I have to have my very own ideas, simply not what you resolve,” the vocals exude right here, feeling like a distinction to the opener’s “I’ll be no matter you need,” smitten sense. Straight away, with a robust opening one-two punch, the album captivates in its vary of bursting rock charisma and hypnotic psychedelic intrigue.
Discovering a center floor between that brightly psychedelic vibrancy and durable power-pop/alt-rock cohesion, “We Can Discuss About It” fondly resembles a cross between The Replacements and Matthew Candy in its title-touting central hook and jangling guitar undercurrents. Likewise, “Open Freeway” expands from acoustic-set “I’m free,” declarations into blaring organs and twangy guitars as vocals depict venturing right into a “new horizon.” “It’s a brand new starting, a brand new and brighter day,” Younger’s vocals eat thereafter into the “it’s gonna be all proper,” reassurances; the manufacturing excels in its escalations from lush folks contemplations into an impassioned rock outpouring with delectable guitar solos and comfortable backing organs.
The second half of Open Freeway continues to immerse with high quality songwriting and a no-frills rock attraction. “And the waves are crashing down,” Younger sings on the gripping “Crescent Solar,” lyrically signing to incoming change with the looming arrival of its namesake. The next “What We Already Have” presents a harmonious rock attraction amidst lyrical views on human want and the character of wanting — even while one could have all that they want. Open Freeway constantly enamors in its mixture of insightful lyricism and hooky melodic delights, and “What We Already Have” is one other instance of such.
The album concludes with two memorably emotive efforts. “Love Will Survive” emits a way of loneliness because the solar units and a solemn folks sound takes maintain. “All the pieces that appeared to matter, gone away in rhythmic tatters,” a melancholic vocal feeling reveals, lamenting on how “nothing appears to make sense anymore.” A brighter hope to “discover our method,” sends chills as a glimmering textural factor infuses throughout the acoustics right into a perseverant “our love will survive,” ethos. Equally, album finale “The Golden Age” reminds of the challenge’s dynamic tonal chops, as soon as once more impressing in its evolution from acoustic-ready folks into hovering rock heights. Open Freeway is a gripping total success, stuffed with memorable songwriting, from Victims of the New Math.
