by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Boston’s Wes Kaplan has developed an impressive catalog over the years between his bands The Channels, The Craters, and most recently with his latest band, Lane. The band released their full length debut, Copse, last April via Illegally Blind (Blue Ray, Nice Guys), which was a great introduction to the band’s warped alternative rock, blending together radio friendly melodies and hooks with a disorienting repetition and art-pop dissonance at it’s core. It’s music that’s easily to sink into but becomes better with every listen as you untangle all of the subtle intricacies. Following another two song single last Summer, the band return with If You Say, a new EP that pushes further toward their experimental side.
The band, comprised of Kaplan and Jesse Weiss (Pet Fox), describe the sound of their latest EP as “polyrhythmic hyper pop shoegaze” and it’s as fitting as anything else we’d call it. There’s a dreamy electro-pop vibe to lead single and title track “If You Say” (which features guest vocals from Jolee Gordon) but its undeniably rooted in Weiss’ deeply grooving drums and a sea of layered guitars. The band stretch out like octopi, with the rhythm cooly flailing in all it’s mesmerizing glory. By the time they get to the grande finale of the final twenty seconds, we’re left stunned but ready to boogie. The structure is dense but the song manages to feel airy, lifted by the band’s own production, Julian Fader’s mix, and Amar Lal’s master to sound radiant.