The Album Leaf – Seal Beach EP

This is a new EP from the one man side-project of Tristeza’s Jimmy Lavalle. And it is fucking awesome!!

Relaxing, tender, electronica influenced rock. Kind of like the Icelandic electronica group Mum meets a chill rock aesthetic. Beautiful and creative. Play this if you like post-rock, play this if you like electronica, play this if you like interesting, relaxing music. PLAY!! I used to like Album Leaf before this EP – now I love these guys (er, Lavalle).

Play 1 and 2 especially.

– Captain Dee (Doug)

1. It’s amazing how organic this sounds despite the electronica-influenced blips and beats. Starts with ambient synths and some nice, complementary noise, then brings in a beautiful melody and a slow beat. A faster, intricate electronica beat later joins the fray. The song just grows before your ears. This completely rocks my face!!

2. Starts with very mellow synths, brings in a really satisfying electronica style beat. As the song progresses, the electronica beat gradually transforms into a real drum line. What kind of sonic wizardry is this?? Spellbinding! Especially when the drums climax at the end over a quiet violin.

3. Completely ambient track, with wonderful pulsing synths and chimes. Evocative of some special childhood memory, perhaps?

4. A clearer rock aesthetic here, with drums and guitar. A nice slow, downtempo beat with understatedly triumphant solo guitar throughout. Cool electronic melodies and chords embellish the song.

5. Two solo acoustic guitars play rolling melodies. It sounds like the guitar players don’t have a care in the world. Totally endearing. Again, electronica production in the background, especially at the end, enrich the track.