Dear Reader, with a not-so-subtly referenced pseudonym and epistolary form, you would not be wrong to assume you are about to read a Guardian-infused assessment on socio-economic introspection found in Kendrick Lamar’s D.A.M.N. Well, you would be wrong. Enter stage right, Parcels.
I first came across Parcels last year during a Spotify music binge and needless to say it has resulted in a gem of a discovery. After keeping a close eye on their EP releases since, including a transatlantic lovechild with Daft Punk at the helm in the studio, I was excited to hear the end result of their feature length debut. The eponymous album certainly did not disappoint.
Lightenup is the band’s stalwart disco track and epitomises the impact of the French duo’s input on the group, with a riff that feels like an off-cut from Get Lucky. However, it’s in Everyroad where Parcels offer further glimpses into the fervour surrounding them. For all the wit and laid-back surfer dude perceptions the Australian group bring to their music, Everyroad is testament to their creative ability. The culmination of the track demonstrates a band at the peak of their inventive flow. It embodies the musical theme that runs throughout the album – a respectful nod to foundations of pop music of the past whilst evolving into the electronically-influenced pop music of today. Closetowhy follows a similar tact and is one of my favourite tracks on the album, the phenomenally simple chicken scratch leading you into an incremental crescendo with percussion emanating from the shadows of Depeche Mode, New Order et al.
The album darts between different generations of music and with it removes you momentarily from the reality around you. Despite living in a political climate that is careering off course faster than a Stevie Wonder/Ray Charles rally team, dreampop guitars and punctuated synths trigger nostalgia, all the while looking forward and imbuing a sense of optimism. Credits, as the name suggests, is a shout out to all those behind the debut album, and it summarises the band and their first feature length: witty, fun and that little bit different.
Until next time,
Easy C