Fusing slacker rock, post-punk, lo-fi, and shoegaze inspiration with poetic lyrical prowess, The Weather’s Been Fine is the standout new EP from Atlanta-based artist Ryan O’Connell. EP track “Bleach Dreams” caught our ears this past summer, with a captivating slacker-folk sound pairing enjoyably within thematic reflections of personal sanity. O’Connell’s suave vocal delivery compels amidst slight percussion and acoustics there, culminating in a gripping central chorus that yearns for renewal: “waiting for the bleach to come / and set my mind right.” The release’s four other tracks succeed just as well, enveloping with a sound that bridges folk, rock, and lo-fi charm amidst consistently excellent songwriting.
Opening track “Cannonball Man” kicks off the release with invigorating qualities, channeling a garage-rock fervency as twanging guitars complement vocals ruminating on the “same old circus” — with the scathing “you’re a punchline that no one knows” immersion into a ghostly vocal progression with touches of post-punk in the rhythmic backing and overall vocal quality. The excellent “Bleach Dreams” arrives next, and then comes the delectably moody “Mirror Coat,” more fully embracing of post-punk inspirations as hazy synths meld seamlessly with washes of sturdy guitars.
The EP’s emotional centerpiece, “Peak Gold” serves up a folk-ready sound initially, traversing with gradually apparent intensity and into a rousing shoegaze and alt-rock synergy; it’s a further display of O’Connell’s ability to craft dynamic tonal productions, evolving with sating impact. The finale title track ends it with impactful results, as debonair vocals, chugging bass, and bursting guitar interplay beautifully. The Weather’s Been Fine marks a thorough success of an EP from Ryan O’Connell.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
