A gorgeous track about striving to break free from one of life’s traps, “Two by Two” comes via Silver Heir, a project led by a Jersey City-based songwriter and his three friends. One of many highlights from their new album Hindenburg Variations, “Two by Two” enthralls right away with its moody procession of stately piano and soothing wordless vocal harmonies — finding a stylish balance somewhere between The Beach Boys, Robert Wyatt, and Plush.
The absorbing initial atmospherics are further bolstered by prancing, twinkling synths — signaling an ensuing convergence of the solemnly introspective vocal load and those glowing backing vocals. “Leather slowly crumbles, even iron rusts in time,” the vocals lament amidst the beautiful piano progression and spacey synth flourishes. Imagery of rusting iron and crumbling leather establish a sense of decay and the unavoidable progression of time, combining with the unsettling imagery of an individual attempting to carve their own truth into a sycamore, striving to break free from those aforementioned traps through further self-truth. A bursting psych-rock finale, with shades of Pink Floyd, then closes this masterful track with wholly satiating qualities.
Stream the rest of the strongly recommended Hindenburg Variations, below:
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
