House of Sugar

Damn good indie rock from (Sandy) Alex G, a former Bandcamp legend, who recently signed to Domino Records. Thirteen tracks, rooted in the acoustic singer-songwriter tradition, but unpredictable and wildly multilayered. Think: the intense earnestness of Elliott Smith meets the playfulness and nonconformity of Pavement or Animal Collective—and add a touch of airbrushed feel-good vaporwave.

FCC: 6
TRY: 5, 2, 3, 9
RIYL: Pavement, Elliott Smith, Hovvdy, Car Seat Headrest, Porches

(1.) (4:17) Slurred, warble-pitched vocal intro leads into a steady strummy indie rocker with varied instruments and tape loop collage (*2.) (2:37) Jivey acoustic number with sunny retro keyboard and beautiful vocals (*3.) (3:13) Bluesy, swingy with smooth vocal accompaniment and excellent piano/violin elements (4.) (3:10) Sonically dense with a solid groove, washes of manipulated vocals, and layered acoustic guitars (*5.) (2:14) Twisting guitar melodies, pitched-up vocals, twinkly chimes. Pure, blissful indie rock (6.) (2:09) (FCC: Fuck) Longing repetitive love song. Odd and kaleidoscopic with unpredictable effects and layers entering the fray (7.) (2:22) Lovely hymnal instrumental. Organ-like synths with snappy percussion (8.) (1:52) Twangy indie rocker with vocals and lyrics sung in a deliberate drawl (*9.) (2:48) Robotic auto-tuned vocals. Rumbling cello and upright bass. Ornate orchestral swells. Epic and left field (10.) (2:43) Rootsy with an 90s Alt Rock vibe (11.) (2:45) Sparse, delicate, acoustic love song with stretched falsetto vocals (12.) (3:59) Slow, smooth, with layered vocals and nice back-of-the-saloon piano accompaniment (13.) (3:41) Jazzy live number. Bold sax, light-handed drumming and cool metallic guitar chords. Chill, extended instrumental outro