by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Keith Harman has spent the better part of the last decade as the songwriter and lead vocalist for Bloomington’s underground champs The Cowboys. That band’s tireless work ethic has seen them release six albums in as many years, tweaking the formula each time with heartland tales and psych pop essence at the core of their sound. They’ve dipped into scuzzy punk and romantic post-punk, but it’s the warmth and twang of their songwriting that really define the band. After six records, Harman is taking a rare pause from The Cowboys to introduce his solo project, Good Looking Son. Set to release Fantasy Weekend, the project’s debut EP on November 19th via Feel It Records (Qlowski, Alien Nosejob, The Cowboy), Harman has never sounded quite so radiant as he does amid these silky AM psych-pop tunes.
“The Neighbor Girl” is the album’s lead single, a song swirling with 60’s tinged soul and power-pop charm. It’s a retro ballad with a pulsating touch, built on a soft hum, sultry bass, and the propulsion of Harman’s calming croon. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was the stuff of the Nuggets compilations, but that’s a testament to the craft of Good Looking Son’s ability to create delicately constructed pop gems. “The Neighbor Girl” glides with swollen hooks, hypnotic piano repetition, and an understated mystery to it as Harman sings of the neighbor girl that was never there.