• alternative music blog
  • Contact
  • Index
  • Menu

Bla ck Plas tic .co .uk

THE BODY IS A DANCEFLOOR
  • alternative music blog
  • Contact
  • Index
Drinker_05052019.jpg

Drinker

California

Listen: California - Drinker

May 05, 2019 in stream

California slips its way into the space between your ears and the gap in your chest in a disconcerting way - before you know it, you’re following it down dusty alleys and through abandoned parks, unsure quite what’s in store or how you got there. The new song from Drinker is deceptive, slowly lulling you in, drawing you nearer without you ever noticing, hand clasped around your neck, pulling you in close enough to feel it’s breath.

Drinker started life in NY as a vehicle for duo Aaron Mendelsohn and Ariel Loh. The pair shared a love of Fever Ray, Bon Iver and James Blake, but to me this sounds more like (Norwegian musician) Magnet fronting Beach House. Following Mendelsohn’s move to LA, the duo started collaborating remotely. The resulting album, appropriately named Fragments, will be released this spring through B3SCI Records.

Creeping in with a gentle guitar melody and hushed vocal harmonies, it isn’t until the chorus fell into my lap that I realised I was a little bit in love with this one. That opening verse, slightly uncertain and cautious, giving way to that beautiful male-female duet and a gentle beat and bass melody. Mendelsohn’s vocals pick there way amongst the instruments like a child gingerly clambering across rock pools - both excited and a little scared by what they might find beneath the surface.

California was written following Mendelsohn’s move to LA, a depiction of his experience of leaving somewhere he knew in exchange for something he likens “to a mirage, in California”. Describing his experience, the artist says:

“The California dream, which I think is a certain specific version of the American Dream based in entertainment...was all around me. The way the people try to climb the ladder, with no shame in their methods, made me wonder if I could keep climbing in my tactful way... Over time I have come to embrace the culture of LA that embraces the chase and the display of the hustle, but I wrote this in the early days when what was supposed to be a dream was seeming all too real.”

There is a haunting, organic feeling here - chillwave played on real instruments - and the result is a little bit staggering.

California Written, produced, and recorded by Drinker / Aaron Mendelsohn / Ariel Loh Artwork by Lincoln Lute Released May 3 2019 on B3Sci Records Stream and order vinyl at Drinker.lnk.to/Fragments

Tags: drinker
Prev / Next

About

BlackPlastic.co.uk is an alternative music blog focused on sharing the best electronic music.



Latest Posts

alternative music blog
Listen: Our Love by Rosk, Lea Shico
Listen: Our Love by Rosk, Lea Shico
about 2 days ago
Listen: Says I’m Home by Théa Marie, Kiriku
Listen: Says I’m Home by Théa Marie, Kiriku
about 3 days ago
Listen: Costumes by Bonbonfire
Listen: Costumes by Bonbonfire
about a week ago
Listen: Uppercut by Idarose
Listen: Uppercut by Idarose
about 3 weeks ago
Listen: Stitch by Snake Orange Cake
Listen: Stitch by Snake Orange Cake
about 3 weeks ago

Tweets

  • I don’t know why, but this giant tennis ball has really made my day. https://t.co/DGZqnhiXpH
    Jul 14, 2022, 10:12 AM
  • More understated, vulnerable and honest pop music courtesy of the charming @annashoemaker_. Put I’m Your Guy in you… https://t.co/vQxD97Hzpq
    Jul 12, 2022, 8:33 PM
  • File this one under PSA… Period-Tracking Apps and Data Privacy in Post-Roe America https://t.co/SdUTeXHXLd
    Jul 11, 2022, 12:48 PM
  • I’m sorry @HiveHomeUK, but wrapping up your hardware sunsetting in a statement about trying to get to net zero does… https://t.co/keYSHyaiJT
    Jul 11, 2022, 12:42 PM