Daniel

“Daniel” Real Estate
Sixth full-length album from the indie soft rockers. Originally from New Jersey, now based in Brooklyn. Pleasant, catchy jangle pop rock. Sunny, tuneful compositions with lots of jangly, shimmering guitars. The lyrics reflect the band’s growing maturity as they draw upon their 15 years of releasing albums. RIYL: Beach Fossils, Mac DeMarco, lighter tracks from The War On Drugs, and of course, Real Estate — because they’ve truly established their own unique sound.
— Francis

Recommended: 3, 2, 1, 4, 9, 10. No FCCs detected.

1. (3:43) Somebody New — Gentle, head-nodding opener with bright guitars, yearning vocals and a simple backbeat rhythm. ***
2. (3:02) Haunted World — Throwback to the early 70s sounds of folk rock artists such as Jackson Browne or the Eagles. Shimmering guitar soundscape. Pedal steel. Easygoing vocals. ****
3. (3:27) Water Underground — The standout single. Simply arranged over a catchy melody. Prominent bassline and drums. Rich backing vocals. ****
4. (2:48) Flowers — Faster guitars and pulsing bassline. Nimble, reverbed guitar in the lead break. Longing vocals. ***
5. (3:58) Interior — Slow and strummy. Pensive and reflective vocals. Drums are added partway through. Chimey in the lead break. Pedal steel in places as well.
6. (3:28) Freeze Brain — Skipping energy. Rapid-fire drums. Sustained guitar chords. Hypnotic vocals.
7. (3:30) Say No More — Up-tempo, flowing folk rock. Some swirling effects mixed in with the guitars and airy vocals.
8. (3:11) Airdrop — Busy bassline leads the tune. Jangly guitar over a synth foundation and blissful, harmonized vocals. 80s synths in the lead break.
9. (2:57) Victoria — More of an Americana feeling — with a prominent twang from the pedal steel guitar — plus piano. Bass player Alex Bleekman on lead vocals, rather than guitarist Martin Courtney. ***
10. (2:49) Market Street — Trademark Real Estate sound that pays homage to the early folk rock of the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. ***
11. (5:09) You Are Here — Slow-building anthemic closer. Grows over sustained synths and piano. Bigger drumline. Soaring vocals. Gets a bit dissonant toward the end.