Balcony Confidential
Black Cottage, 2025
9/10
Listen to Balcony Confidential
The Atlanta outfit Applesauce Tears return with a 13th studio album, where a very stylish meshing of jazz, electronic and indie-rock come together for 12 songs that has the front man Craig Bennett taking plenty of help.
“Near Markermeer” leads with Bennett’s bright synth and cozy bass alongside M. McMick’s precise drums for plenty of atmosphere, and “Madchen And Marigold” follows with an upbeat mood via the warm melodies and Bennett’s dreamy guitar presence.
Close to the middle, the rich “It’s Weird To Exist” benefits from flowing synth and Tama McGee’s soaring vocals, while “A Celebration Of Genever” pairs ambience with ‘Marm’ Dobson’s elegant sax in the soothing album highlight.
Arriving near the end, “A Poem In Pencil” builds into waves of emotion and exploration that are ethereal and mesmerizing, and “You’re Not Alone (Actually You Are)” exits with mystery and lush ideas that unfold meticulously.
A really involved effort that never actually uses words, Applesauce Tears textures their vision with beauty amid psychedelic, shoegaze and experimental songwriting.
Travels well with: Littrell- Public Love; Herdd- Afterlife