In The Black
Big Stir, 2023
10/10
The Oklahoma City rockers The Lunar Laugh return with their 4th album, where 10 tracks encompass all the hallmarks of a timeless pop song, and the chemistry between the quintet is top notch.
The swirling guitars of “Born Weird” begins the listen, where soaring vocal harmonies and Levin Sherman’s precise drums make an impression, and the summery sounds of “Allegiance” follows with a charming dreaminess that makes great use of Triston Lightner’s flowing bass.
In the middle, the melodic and retro ideas of “Stranger Than Oz” welcome some breezy ‘60s ideas, while “So So Long” showcases the smooth singing and crisp rhythm section of the album’s best.
Landing near the end, the bouncy and infectious “Out Of Love” is a jangly moment of harmonic gestures, and “Picture Perfect” exits with a sublime intimacy that makes great use of glowing pedal steel and stirring cello.
A listen with no shortage of hooks and plenty of infectious pop-rock, nods to The Byrds and Fleetwood Mac sure are appreciated, too, and the excellent use of strings and Motown bits aren’t anything to spit at, either.
Travels well with: The Flashcubes- Pop Masters; Popsicko- Off To A Bad Start