Strawflower

In stark contrast to current events, the bulk of Strawflower’s debut conjures a Californian dream captured in the gauzy glow of sunset and a nascent neon flicker. This one snuck out last Spring, but just caught my ear recently. Produced and mixed by RSTB fave Michael Rault, the album catches hold of likeminded auras that have haloed his own works as well as those he’s produced with Pearl Charles. Greetings from the Stardust Motel is lost in the the valleys between folk, surf, and Canyon Country. There’s a raglan, ‘70s swoop to most of the songs here, built for summer’s end and soft breeze. There’s been no shortage of bands holding tight to the soft rock ripple through the Carter years, but it’s always great to see someone pull it off with an effortless air.

The band rolls into the record with the windows down and a fizzing growl of guitars on “Haunting of the Hollywood Hills.” Layered harmonies take them towards Lemon Twigs territory on “The Long Goodbye,” one of the record’s most engrossing listens. Gauzy synths and dance-draped bass weave through “Indigo” before the band skates out of view on more stacked harmonies on second side standouts “Here Comes My Baby,” and the country-stung closer “Other Nights.” This one feels like it got glossed over in a year packed with releases, but it’s never too late to catch up. A little bittersweet to just come to it now in light of the heartbreaking news from the West Coast. Much love and safe wishes for friends out in Los Angeles this week.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.