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The Umbrella Sequence
Events
Princess Records
Opener "Urban Lull" demonstrates the foursome's penchant for quirky, dreamy melodies that churn along lazily, à la the Flaming Lips. Singer Ryan Rupprecht's bashful falsetto flits playfully with brightly strummed guitars, tinkling chimes, and the random phaser-like synth sound.
On "This Time We're Positive," the band members pull the song structure apart and slow down the tempo to conjure up distinct echoes of Halloween, Alaska. Drummer Marshall Baltzell lays down a particularly wet and muffled drum track that plods along beneath a warbling, descending synth line, lulling you into an eerie but contented stupor.
This trend toward unhurried sonic exploration is fully realized on the final track, "Purple Roads." The omnipresent sound of falling rain cradles a minimalist, melancholy piano line that slowly dissolves into the faintest of lingering feedback loops. It's organic, beautiful, and utterly human.