Three EPs You Need to Hear Now: Big Thief, Triptides, and Swim School
Catching up on some of the latest and best short releases
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Every few months, I like to send out an EP roundup with some highlights from the short player releases. I hope there’s something here that you enjoy, and if so, let me know in the comments.
Big Thief - Change
If you’ve never heard of Big Thief, it’s time to give them a listen. After four albums that are all amazingly substantial, the Brooklyn-based indie roots band has been releasing new singles over the past few months, and the Change EP collects all four of them as a delightful short set.
Some of these tracks were recorded in upstate New York this past summer, which provides a campfire groove to everything here. “Change” features singer Adrienne Lenker’s signature soft warble as she ruminates on shifts and transitions of all varieties. “Certainty” is a charming lofi stomper, written and recorded during a power outage. As Lenker and guitarist Buck Meek were writing the tune, the crew set up a four-track recorder connected to the cigarette lighter of an F-250. It’s hard to believe that the version on the EP is only the third take while the band learned the chords. My favorite is “Little Things,” which finds the group working in propulsive unison while building towards a wordless freakout.
The release of the EP also comes with the great news that Big Thief will be releasing a double album early next year, followed by a world tour. These songs are sure to be on there, so get in now on what is sure to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2022.
Change is available now on 4AD.
Triptides - So Many Days
While Triptides is part of the new West Coast psychedelic scene, they’re veterans with seven records in their first decade together. So Many Days marks a new celebratory phase in their career, as it’s their first release for Curation Records, the definitive LA new retro psych label.
Also a preview for a full-length set to arrive sometime this winter, So Many Days collects four single-worthy songs. Triptides have cited the Byrds, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles as influences, but this batch of songs sounds more akin to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The title track is a sunny throwback full of twelve-string and pedal steel guitar that falls somewhere between cosmic country and Full Moon Fever.
Guitarist, keyboardist, and singer Glenn Brigman comes together with bassist/guitarist Stephen Burns and drummer Brenden Peleo-Lazar wonderfully on the floating “Going Home,” as bongos accent the song’s melody and delicious guitar fills. “Free Fall” is another excellent song that returns to the first era of the Byrds with its hazed-out vibes.
So Many Days is available now on Curation Records.
Swim School - Making Sense of It All
After getting their start in 2018 and releasing a few singles, Swim School was building hype in their native Scotland. After being forced to shut down the project during the pandemic lockdown, the alternative quartet from Edinburgh returned with a new drummer and much heavier sound on their debut EP, Making Sense of It All.
Catchy licks and anthemic choruses are abundant on these five songs, kicking off with “Let Me Inside Your Head,” which soars thanks to singer Alice Johnson and guitarist Lewis Bunting’s knack for writing something familiar that still defies expectations. “See Red” is also an excellent choice for their first single from the EP, which will surely be a hit as the band departs on a supporting tour that will culminate with their first London headlining show in December.
I found out about Swim School through a friend of Check This Out!, Matthew McLister and his website, Blinded By the Floodlights. For a locals take on the band, read his review here!
Making Sense of It All is self-released and available now.