Hold

Stalwart 2010s dream pop band is back with a new record after five years, this time continuing in the 80s revival of their last two records. Doesn’t depart much from their recent sound, though I’ll note that lead songwriter Jack Tatum has gone through some major life changes, including a move from Los Angeles to Richmond and the birth of his son, which influenced the lyrical direction on the record.

Related: Panda Bear’s recent yach rock foray, DIIV, Neon Indian
Favorites: 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11

1. (3:40) * Headlights On — Dreamy pop that seriously grooves
2. (2:54) Basement El Dorado — 80s pop, smooth vox
3. (4:17) The Bodybuilder — Yacht rock, somewhat forgettable
4. (3:42) * Suburban Solutions — Vibrant dream pop, witty lyrics, “the single”
5. (3:40) Presidio — Whimsical instrumental interlude
6. (3:22) Dial Tone — Sunny beat-driven pop with some autotuned vox
7. (4:02) * Histrion — Cool off-kilter melody, soaring vox, “I think I see the light”
8. (4:27) * Prima — Dreamlike spacey slower track, really cool instrumentation, picks up in tempo, great outro starting at 3:07
9. (4:05) * Alex — Alternates with guitar strumming & vox and intense drumming, intriguing lyrics
10. (0:50) Little Chaos — Instrumental interlude
11. (5:27) * Pulling Down the Moon (Before You) — Another 80s track, weird, with some engaging lyrics about his new son