A melodic, textured rock sophistication enamors throughout “Out of Practice,” a newly released track from Plastic Jaguar. The project is a bi-coastal collaboration, comprising Jordan Olberg and Scott Lingner, who first became friends in college and then began collaborating due to a shared love for dynamic, impactful sounds — particularly in the realms of psych-pop, post-punk, chamber pop, and jazz. As such, the project’s result is eclectic and powerful, full of savvy switch-ups.
Gorgeous guitar trickling and steady rhythms combine as vague vocals move with serene intrigue, moving into a vocal reveal: “Jump now that the lonely home you’re in comes down.” Swooning wordless vocals signal a gripping expanse, heightening into twinkling piano as the one-minute turn passes. The jazzy pop allure around 01:40 makes for a resonating switch-up, book-ended by theatrical rock entrancement, and especially riveting brass and piano work in the final minute. “Out of Practice” is a tour-de-force display of musicianship and tonal variety from Plastic Jaguar.
The duo elaborate further on the track’s themes:
“Out of Practice is a song about trying to re-enter life after a long period of emotional withdrawal. It’s a song about the images of ourselves we project to the world, and what happens when you realize you’re not living up to them and you aren’t sure you even care. When you are tired of maintaining a persona, when you are done performing a role, when you are ready to embody your own life again, to take the steering wheel after years in the passenger seat.”
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
