“A song of sunny tones and pressing energy which provides all the lush textures of dream pop without sacrificing any of the detail or momentum.” That’s how we described ‘Potion‘, a single from A Beacon School‘s new album yoyo, coming this October on Grind Select. The record sees New York-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Patrick J. Smith use this mix of ethereal tones and upbeat rhythms to tap into the unconscious side of creativity, splitting the difference between dream pop and shoegaze to build upon the foundations of previous record, Cola, and sometimes push towards an almost dance aesthetic as with the sprawling beat of subsequent track, ‘Jon’.
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The latest single from the record, ‘KITM’ offers a glimpse at yet another dimension of yoyo. A Beacon School at its most dreamlike, the vocals suspended within a gauzy haze which even the not inconsiderable energy struggles to fully puncture. As though all of the track’s feeling and weight is submerged beneath a heavy mist, lending a lethargic air even as the guitars and drums attempt to rally.
It’s a fitting mood, given the themes behind the track. The title is short for ‘Keep It To Myself’, and the song sees Smith explains the inexplicable stasis which descends upon even the most enthusiastic artists. Where inspiration is no issue, but acting upon them feels like wading through treacle. “On ‘KITM’, I’m very much talking to myself, voicing my frustrations with how long it takes me to do anything,” as he explains. “I have all these plans and ideas and frustrations, but never act on them. It’s kind of a pep talk to say ‘hurry up and do something!'”
Watch the suitably dreamy video by Alex Beebe and Chase Wagner below:
yoyo is out via Grind Select on the 13th October and you can pre-order it now.