The album “Summerhead” is both lyrically and musically poetic and abstract. The Dream-pop/Shoegaze band (of the same name) are soul-piercing music curators. Summerhead leaves its audience completely entranced using hypnotic sounds and cool atmospheric euphony. The ex-members of Trash Talk, The Mongoloids, and Kill Surf City: instrumentalist Mike Iannatto and Nicholas Fit, accompanied by vocalist Grey Gordon, have come together in “Summerhead” to provide hard-hitting tracks with gentle melodies.
The album’s first track, “Tiny Screens,” makes for a sweet and heart-wrenching intro. The music video portrays a young woman watching playful scenes of a little girl’s childhood via old electronics and TV screens. Whether it be her own childhood or someone else’s, it is unclear. The video insinuates that the song could be from a parent’s perspective that has been estranged from their child for some time. Summerhead highlights the grim reality of loving a child from a distance. The track is nostalgic and reflective, setting the tone for the album.
The second track, “Upwards” may seem to be a chaotic compilation of sounds on the surface, but it easily harmonizes together to create an unforgettable track. The melody of this song reflects the complexity of human connection (or lack thereof) thriving in the world today. The track describes the phenomenon of social policing that ultimately separates family and friends. The lyrics explain an experience of being judged by a friend who fails to see the humanity in others.
“Got a message from a friend about something I said
Another badge-less pig reporting in on my infractions
Didn’t ask me how I’ve been even though he knows I had a hard year
More important to check on my behavior than my health
What a perfect distillation of so much that’s wrong with us
Optics matter more than honest conversation
Context be damned, just batten down the hatches
Abandon ship at the first sign of public backlash”
-Summerhead
The songs on the album “Summerhead” are contemplative and fall deep with emotion. For example, the track titled “Divorce Proceedings” paints a picture of animosity and disillusion when separating from an ex-spouse. Although the divorce process can weigh heavy on anyone, Summerhead does a phenomenal job introducing the song with dreamy ambient sounds along with the reality of everyday life.
Your ex hates you, what a drag
Manual labor’s not your bag
Now you’re the one who’s old and lame
The more things change, the more they stay the same
-Summerhead
A personal favorite on the album is “Empathy,” and “God’s Byline” is a definite hit off the album. Gordon’s vocals are calming and inviting. Additionally, the band’s ability to creatively portray personal subjects so effortlessly is a unique talent. Their lyrics are simple yet impactful – using clear imagery setting the foundation for their music. The band’s influences include Spacemen 3 and Portishead. The wanderlust “Summerhead” is an album worth checking out! Make sure to add them to your playlist today!
Reviewed by Abeni Moreno
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