Push Back
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
An Austin, Texas experiment spearheaded by Geoff Earle, he took an unusual approach by securing studio time with session players who would then improvise over demo tracks after just one listen. Earle then collaged the pieces together for this second album as Stiletto Feels.
“Perfectly” starts the listen awash in modern day electro-pop as soulful vocals and synthetic drumming populate the busy landscape, and “I Wanna Break It” follows with a bright and soaring display of indie-rock that’s not short on melody in its buzzing appeal.
Halfway through, “Plug Me In” recruits ‘80s inspired synth in the club-friendly delivery, while the dreamy “Kill” glides with an ethereal spirit of textured beauty. “At Home With The Piano”, then offers a raw, home recording of bare piano before erupting into a sleek version of dance rock.
Near the end, the atmospheric “Things Will Work Out” is a layered execution of spacey sounds, and “Do You Remember How Perfect It Was” finishes the listen with 45 seconds of ambience in its blurry, warm climate.
While a project like this is just asking for a fumbling mess in some people’s hands, when you have artists like Aaron Perez of Ume, Ryan Figg of The Octopus Project, Bryan Richie of The Sword, Jimmy Vela of Think No Think, and Paul Oliphint and Cody Skinner of Stiletto Feels' live incarnation in attendance, you get a very adventurous sophomore record in Push Back.
Travels well with: Mr. Gnome- The Day You Flew Away; Soft People- Absolute Boys