When songs have a Summer feel to them, they tend to become memory markers of what we did during the particular year in which they were released. The feeling in itself feels like it comes from school Summer vacations we experienced during our youth. Songs we attach to the longer warmer days filled with BBQ's, trips to the pool or beach, Slip-N-Slides, Nerf water guns, vacations, reruns of Saved By The Bell, MTV Beach House Summer programming (here's looking at you "Sandblast."), blockbuster movie releases (not to be confused with movies from Blockbuster), and any number of given activities or Summer staples. As we grew past our days of youth and into adulthood Summers have a different outlook while music remains the same with its ability to stamp itself as a seasonal memory. Of course all music can trigger memories but it's something about the Summer releases that allow a few songs to post up on the music timeline of our lives.
In the midst of the first shelter at home/lockdown mandates, Chicano Batman held a YouTube listening party for their album "Invisible People," on April 30, 2020, just under a month after which they originally were supposed to begin a 41 show tour that had been postponed due to the happenings around the globe. I remember tuning in and listening, knowing music was becoming a great outlet during a somber time. Fast forward about a year later and Chicano Batman was gearing up for a 2021 Fall tour, but not before dropping 2 new songs on the last day of June to hold us over thru the Summer of 2021. One song was "Dark Star," an uptempo, hard hitting, rhythmic track, ready made for a Friday evening taking you into the weekend. The other was a laid back track titled, "Pastel Sunrise," perfectly fitting for the days of Summer. From its beginning seconds to its closing chords, the track has a reflective calming vibe that helps keep your mind and ear focused for its duration. It's a track that felt rightly positioned in its release within the first weeks of Summer, while also accompanied by a feeling of closure upon a listen on the final days of Summer. I always enjoy and appreciate songs that get us through those days whether they be enjoyable or grueling in regards to whatever is going on within our lives during the season. You can add "Pastel Sunrise," to the ranks of another great Chicano Batman quality release.
Chicano Batman is a group that has continued to evolve and I hope more success comes their way in the months and years ahead. I highly recommend checking out their back catalogue of releases, but also a few of their performances that you can find on YouTube:
Miguel and Chicano Batman collabo of "Skywalker," and "Black Lipstick"
2015 Jam In The Van (Coachella)
"Cycles of Existential Rhymes," music video
Yorumlar