Bachelor is the New Project from Jay Som and Palehound That You Need to Hear Now

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When Bachelor’s debut Doomin’ Sun was announced, it shot up my list of most anticipated releases for the year.

Bachelor is the result of Melina Duterte and Ellen Kempner’s friendship, better known for their work as Jay Som (Duterte) and Palehound (Kempner). Jay Som’s last two records Everybody Works and the exquisite Anak Ko cemented Duterte’s spot as one of my favorite songwriters in the current indie scene. Palehound’s Black Friday stayed in my heavy rotation when it came out a few years ago.

Duterte and Kempner have received much acclaim for their DIY work, and Bachelor is a perfect continuation of their approach. Recorded over a few weeks at a rented house in Topanga, Doomin’ Sun combines Palehound’s grungier tendencies with Jay Som’s textured indie pop.

“Back of My Hand” kicks off with an electronic backbeat and the driving interplay of Duterte and Kempner’s guitars before giving way to a soaring chorus full of sludgy distortion and wobbly synths. Single “Stay in the Car” has a similar riot grrrl feel, with the song full of waggish verses like “I wanna know her, I want us to get along, be the ice cream left out in her sun, plug into the speaker, and put on our favorite song, run the AC and sing along.”

While Doomin’ Sun is front-loaded with singles, it’s the middle portion that clicks. “Spin Out” is a hazy track full of twisted shimmering melodies, as Duterte and Kempner harmonize with lovely results. The funky pop groove of “Anything At All” is a catchy number with pads and keys ducking in and out, interspersed between stabbing riffage. “Moon” is a gorgeous whispery sad girl number that stands above the currently oversaturated genre, and the psychedelic twang of “Sick of Spiraling” is an album highlight.

Doomin’ Sun is an album that is better appreciated with multiple listens. There’s no better example of this than “Aurora,” which is the definition of a grower with its cinematic beauty.

Besides Duterte and Kempner, the record also features strings by Duterte’s partner and Chastity Belt bassist Annie Truscott and drums by James Krivchenia of Big Thief, who pushes Bachelor to the next level when called upon.

Jay Som and Palehound are two of the freshest bands in the indie scene, and Bachelor is a welcomed collaboration. Let’s hope they can book a house for another two weeks to write a follow-up.

Doomin’ Sun is available now on Polyvinyl.

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