Smokescreens 'A Strange Dream': LA band's third album is cheerful and upbeat whipping up a dream-like aura
Los Angeles-based indie-pop group Smokescreens bonded through love for bands like The Velvet Underground, The Go-Betweens and The Television Personalities. Their self-titled debut, released in 2017, received critical acclaim and a year later, followed by the excellent 'Used To Yesterday'. Ready to drop their third LP 'A Strange Dream', Smokescreens have collaborated with David Kilgour of The Clean who produced the new record.
Consisting of 10 songs in total, 'A Strange Dream' opens with the lively 'Fork In the Road'. A folksy track carrying an indelible bass-line, 'Fork In the Road' has a very Mumford & Sons feel to it. With its neat and crisp instrumentals, the moody pop track provides the record a strong opening. This is followed by 'Working Title', a track with '90s vibe where the vocals remind you of Billy Corgan circa the 'Siamese Dreams' era. Even though, musically, it sounds nothing like the Smashing Pumpkins, there's a strong resemblance to the tone of the legendary band. 'Streets of Despair', on the other hand, has an uplifting melody with robust guitar sounds. The enchanting switch in the middle of 'Streets of Despair' provides one of the best moments on 'A Strange Dream'.
The fourth track, named 'I Can Still See You', is echoey and talks about missing a lover while silently mourning its loss. The use of instrumentals here is beautiful as it fades out slowly giving us another hallmark of a '90s track. The next song, 'Night Time Skies', is a short and rousing acoustic ballad where the lead vocals are harmonized perfectly with the background singing. Reminiscent of the Shins, 'Night Time Skies' is the most calming, and one of the best tracks on the record. With twinkling electric guitars, 'What is To Be Done' switches between sped-up choruses and slowed-down verses that the band changes between effortlessly.
'On and On', the seventh song, is the second-best track on the record that features impressive vocal performance and tight, well put together instrumentals that complement each other perfectly. The acoustic guitar, here too, is the driving force while the sliding electric guitar delivers a delectable solo. 'I Want to Know', with its rumbling bass solo, is definitely worthy of being released as a single. It's got an incredibly catchy hook coupled with an irresistible guitar performance. 'Pick The Cats Eyes Out', the ninth song, is quintessentially indie rock. Short, fun and sweet, the production here is top-notch (as it is throughout the album). The final track, 'I Love You Only' is beautifully crafted and, without a doubt, is the best track on the album. It's perfectly executed and gives very strong Velvet Underground feels. Sparkling and upbeat, 'I Love You Only' whips up a dreamlike aura, and is a delightful closer to a cheerful, good vibes album.
'A Strange Dream' will release worldwide on October 30, 2020, on all major streaming platforms.
