Through a series of self-released EPs and albums, Michigan-based musician Conor Lynch has built up a sizeable following with his distinctive, folk-inflected bedroom pop. Like the best examples of the genre, self-taught Lynch practices a DIY ethos that enables him to push beyond convention, finding new links and directions while maintaining a grounded, sincere tone.
To be released next week on Devil Town Tapes, his latest full-length record, Fake, builds upon what came before and continues to break new ground. The folk leanings of the previous albums are dialled back, but only so as to open a heavier sound palette and wider spectrum of influences. Elements of indie rock, electronic pop and country can be found across the songs, as well as a Pinback-esque emo spirit too. What results is Conor Lynch’s most adventurous and accomplished record to date.
Lead single ‘King of It’ stands as proof. Taking the Pinback influence and directing it towards self-deprecation, the song faces up to the endless string of calamities we call life with something like a grin. With a laid-back lilt and catchy refrain, it’s easy to see the track as Lynch finding a wry kind of peace in accepting the bad luck blues, though the frantic final seconds reinject a certain anxiety into the mood, and let ambiguity reign.
Days are billboards
Side of the road
And I’m driving
With my eyes closedThis is my pile of shit
But I’m still the king of it
Standing on top of it
Looking down at the valley below
Check out the video below, with visuals compiled and edited by Doug Dulgarian (of They Are Gutting a Body of Water):
Fake is out via Devil Town Tapes on the 26th February and you can pre-order it now via the Conor Lynch Bandcamp page.
Photo by Alyssa Strasser