by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Just over two weeks ago, St. Louis’ Frankie Valet released their latest album, Waterfowl, a gorgeous record that combines heart warming folk and indie pop with shoegaze, slowcore, and emo tendencies. Out now on It Takes Time Records (Marbling, Ronnie Rogers, Camp Counselor), the record finds the voice of each member - Jack Elliott-Higgins (guitar, vocals), Felix Nelson (guitar, vocals), Gram Tolish (drums), and Alison Setili (bass, vocals) - contributing in equal measure, creating the idea of something personal but also collective. There’s a great deal of range covered between the vocalists and there approaches to melody, both gorgeous and a bit abrasive, offering a rich sense of dynamics as the album unfolds moments of blistering power-pop and gentle atmospheres.
“Our Apartment” is one of the record’s more “punk” moments with a slow rolling rhythm and a raw melody that is as instant as they come. From the moment the band sing “do you miss your old apartment, would you go back the way you left it” to the super infectious gang vocals of “I feel bad about Ruby, I feel bad about all summer,” this one burrows deep into your subconscious and you’ll be singing along after a listen or two. It’s snotty and crunchy in a way that eventually recalls “Blue Album” era Weezer, complete with head-banging fuzz and hooks that hit harder with each repetition. The video captures the band performing around town interspersed with the shots of a cat out for a walk and friends getting in on the fun. Honestly, it’s pretty hard not too.