by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
The Nashville trio Styrofoam Winos have no lead songwriter, no “front” person. The band’s voice, styles, and inspirations are collective, with each member pulling equal weight, from songwriting and vocals to their own personal styles of reflection. It all comes together wonderfully on their well conceived self-titled debut album, released earlier in February via Sophomore Lounge (Wren Kitz, Frank Hurricane, Huevos II). The album mixes many styles, creating a framework that highlights the story telling of Joe Kenkel, Trevor Nikrant, and Lou Turner, each adding their own charms to simmering folk, twangy fuzz, and sludgy indie pop, diving in out of sounds akin to the early 90’s Matador catalog (think Yo La Tengo, Thinking Fellers Union, Pavement).
“Roygbiv” is the album’s centerpiece, a slowly unfolding ruminative song led by Lou Turner’s gorgeous voice. It feels like an old country song with a touch of psychedelic bliss, swirling together to paint a picture of an welcoming city life, built on the community and a calming presence, watching change but keeping an open mind. Like the rainbow the song’s title references, the hook offers of “r.o.y.g.b.i.v. / these are the colors that they taught to me / nothing is visible outside of these” a reflection that seems to hint at expanding beyond the surface and further outward in the world. The video captures the feel of community during a time when it feels most difficult, with vivid colors and grainy film combined to capture those shades of the hook.