Above Water
Bad Friend, 2023
8/10
The brainchild of the Washington D.C. multi-instrumentalist Rye Thomas, the 13 songs here bring plenty of guests to a diverse listen that thematically points at coping with loss and the search for beauty.
The appropriately titled “Let’s Begin” opens the listen with Ben Thornewill’s well timed keys amid the hazy pop that’s heavy on atmosphere, and it isn’t long until “My Head” welcomes Ricardo Lagomasino’s drums and Matt Dowling’s bass to the swirling climate of lush and melodic indie-rock.
Elsewhere, “My Aim Is True” puts Ed Dickerson on violin for the indie-folk delivery, while “Still Song” benefits much from Gordon Withers’ eloquent cello across the intimate and dreamy delivery.
Later on, horns make an appearance on “Here Comes The Chorus” thanks to Tom ‘Bones’ Malone and Don Godwin in a thicker display, and “Now’s The Time” exit with violin and no lack of electronica bouts for the spacey finish.
Thomas formerly played in the bands Pash and Tereu Tereu before severe health problems kept him at home. His creative spirited never dwindled, though, and as he became better, he started fleshing out these variations of indie-pop that are quite easy to enjoy.
Travels well with: Miniaturized- miniaturized; Fotoform- horizons