Built upon the nostalgic sounds of early 2010s indie with a captivating modern lens of lyricism, The Pretty Graves’ self-titled debut feels at home in the foundation-building past as well as an unsure but empowering future. Released April 8, the Connecticut quartet’s debut is defined by expertly penned imagery and evocative song structure that inspires visceral physical reactions.
Track by track, the fuzzy guitars and melodies across all 10 tracks of The Pretty Graves feel like a soundtrack to the more sophisticated level of angsty introspection that characterized 2010’s indie scene. The Pretty Graves effortless stride between light and dark, whimsy and gravity, reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie, Broken Social Scene, and Attack In Black. The band demonstrates a rare and innate skill to scratch the itch of expectation, then elevate beyond it with a hook, a riff, or a time change that is both unexpected and welcome.
Opening with their single “Bending Reeds”, the album opener is driven by guitar and immediately captures attention. The Lou Reed-style delivery and backing chorus of voices introduce a sense of community and calmness set against the backdrop of haunting imagery. The atmosphere and lyricism of “Do It Again” take the spotlight as The Pretty Graves slyly flood the imagination with poetry and power-pop arrangements. “Queen of Lies” dips into Weezer territory with longing vocal runs that accentuate the heartbreak the song was inspired by. Every track builds towards the soaring penultimate track “Shadows” and features a cathartic and emotional release. If there weren’t enough surprises already, the final track “Nothing Passes Like Time” includes twangy flourishes and one of the strongest, most repeatable choruses on the album.
The Pretty Graves is composed of all standout tracks, and each for a different reason. For lovers of fuzzy guitars, riffs, and jams – this album is for you. For fans of deep lyricism and emotional vulnerability – this album is for you. For anyone who has either literally or imagined themselves walking through the rain in a pea coat after a spirit-crushing event – this album is for you!
No shortage of effort or energy went into this album, and the production for a debut is top notch. Without losing an ounce of authenticity to post-production, The Pretty Graves have released a stellar debut that is guaranteed to capture hearts and minds across generational gaps.
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Bio:
The Pretty Graves are an underground/art-rock quartet based out of CT. They craft a potent mix of raw emotion, soul-baring lyricism, fuzzed-out guitars, and pure melodies.
