London-based project trainboy crafts a memorable blend of jangly guitars and riveting lyricism on Stay Inside, an EP that finds songwriter and vocalist Dave Macleod pairing lo-fi warmth with melodic immediacy. Drawing inspiration from acts like The Velvet Underground, Teenage Fanclub, and DIIV, the EP captures both the intimacy of reflection and the pulse of restless energy. Recorded in Kentish Town, Stay Inside resonates with an inviting, emotionally grounded sound that simultaneously feels nostalgic and fresh.
The opening title track is a dazzling success, melding jangling guitar tones and heartfelt vocals into a clap-laden bridge that kickstarts the momentum again. The “you got me feeling so at ease” sequence is especially magnetic, exuding a smitten state that aligns beautifully with the bursting jangle-pop charm. The ensuing “Handbags” is similarly impactful, maneuvering seamlessly from introspective commentary into more ardent vocal expressions; its “I took a picture” lyrical imagery consumes alongside, using the old photograph as symbolic of capturing missed connections and the ache of unspoken words.
“Rollercoaster” is another delight, especially in its swell from glistening acoustics into twanging rock immediacy. Impassioned guitars pair with playful claps for a replay-inducing segment, in particular, while the poetic lyrical prowess seems to muse on anxious blur between reality and performance, singing “Was it something I said? / Do you want me dead? / The chorus is just too loud” with witty captivation. EP finale “Rescue You” caps it off with sating effect, pairing frustrations with “look at me now” key-touched urgency for another relatable standout. Stay Inside is a fantastic EP from trainboy, stirring in its jangly, sincere rock sound.
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“Stay Inside” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
