by Patrick Pilch (@pratprilch)
Chicago-based studio whiz Seth Engel has put out a steady annual drip of self-produced bedroom-rock since 2013. On the Draw is not only one of the best Options releases so far, it’s one of the best pop rock collections in recent memory. Presented as a “summer 2021 mixtape,” Engel’s latest is a nimble and gripping batch of bass-driven tunes that rarely breach the two minute mark. Hit repeat: On the Draw confidently leans into brevity, and will only leave you hungry for more.
Options’ latest is all hits, no filler. Seth Engel crams pop appeal into every moment of On the Draw; melodic bass hooks, lead-tone arpeggios and cranking solos coexist in colorfully tight quarters. With a dash of autotune vocals and plenty of time-keeping hi-hats, On the Draw brings out Options’ most potent pop instincts, optimizing each second of the tape’s fleeting eighteen minutes.
“Made by Seth at home” back in May, On the Draw truly feels like a mixtape. Sequenced in the order they were recorded, each track spills into the next, giving the listener the sensation of being present for the mixtape’s week-long recording session. It’s an easy listen front to back, but filled with more than enough nuance for repeated listens.
Listening to On the Draw is like cracking open an I Spy book; the more you search, the more you’ll find. Try to spot the “cha-ching” on “My Cool” or the airhorn on “That Much.” It’s catchy, carefree and fun as hell. On the Draw’s compact arrangements contain these rich pop nuggets that will stick to the roof of your mouth and dissolve with slow release. By the time “Run Wild” peels itself back to a single shaker you’ll stop and say to yourself, “I think I’ll have another.”