Hideaway
Indie AM Gold/Blackbird, 2024
8/10
The brainchild of the LA musician Evan apRoberts, as Breezers this 4th album welcomes Melissa Louise-Castellano, Graeme Gibson and Michael Nau’s talents to a darkly tinted version of Western Folk.
“The Last Rung” starts the listen with cozy acoustic guitar and backing vocals from Louise-Castellano for a rich and slight ominousness to the eerie folk sounds, and “No Problem” follows with a textured and intimate climate that uses Graeme Gibson’s fluid drumming alongside the atmospheric glockenspiel via a nostalgic feel.
Further along, the more bare presence of “Noon Breeze” carries a mesmerizing spirit thanks to the warm guitar and emotive pedal steel, while “Caldera Nights” is a firm moment with a slight jangle, retro melodies and vocal harmonies that carry a sunny disposition.
Residing near the end, the sublime and intimate “Moonlight” emits a charming haze of swirling instrumentation and expressive singing, and “Caverns Reveal” exits with a thick appeal of guitars, drums, percussion and distinct singing.
A raw, sometimes mysterious peek at apRoberts’ atypical vision that also embraces pop and psychedelia, there’s also plenty of grooves and sonic exploration to appreciate here.
Travels well with: Jon Byrd- All Your Mistakes; Mike Miz- Only Human