GRMLN
(aka Yoodoo Park), delivers his debut long player ‘EMPIRE’,
filled with upbeat rock ‘n’ roll and ‘90s pop-punk. The second release under the GRMLN moniker
for the Japanese -born, California-raised, Yoodoo Park, certainly demonstrates
bigger, more sophisticated musical ambitions. Wanting to capture the sound of a
live band, Park recorded the album with his brother Tae San Park on bass, and
friend Keith Frerichs on drums, resulting in a much more rock-driven sound than
the more dream-pop-oriented, inclinations of solo EP ‘Explore’.
The record’s
energy and brevity translated to a concise recording process, the nine songs
(all but two are under three minutes) were recorded and mixed in a span of five
days at Different Fur Studios in San Francisco with Patrick Brown and Sean
Paulson (Toro Y Moi’s Anything In Return).
Despite its
references to 90’s pop punk, ‘EMPIRE’ manages to sound nostalgic and relatively fresh at
the same time. Album opener and lead
single, ‘Teenage Rhythm’, sets the tone, while album standout
‘Hand Pistol’ is a catchy mix of polished-up Superchunk and a poppier Jimmy Eat
World. There’s also ‘Cheer Up’ with its ‘50s-style chord progression and
climactic and fiery plea of ‘Don’t break me down!’
Lyrically, EMPIRE is
a look into 20-year-old Yoodoo’s head as he deals with growing up and the
notion of how that complicates relationships. Noting that while writing
the album, he matured out of a phase of naïveté, consequently becoming
disillusioned with love. “I see the world going by without me/ it’s just the
way that I’m moving back to you,” he sings on ‘Blue Lagoon’.
What
the critics are saying:
"One of
the biggest sounds in indie rock these days is, weirdly enough, indie rock from
the 1990s: straightforward, punk-infused three-chord rock with big hooks and
fuzzbox all over everything. Southern California's GRMLN has that formula
nailed." – Esquire
"Park
found the formula for adolescent energy and tapped directly into it…Park’s
songwriting is nothing if not confident, energetic, and pop aware. - Consequence
of Sound
"On
Empire, his second release under the GRMLN moniker, Park certainly demonstrates
bigger, more sophisticated musical ambitions." –
Exclaim
"While
even those fond of the '90s revival may be close to overdosing on nostalgia,
Empire offers a fresh enough take to make it worth a listen." - All
Music
‘EMPIRE’
will be released through Stop Start Friday 26th July
First
single ‘Teenage Rhythm’ is at radio now.
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