La Palma expand their sound on immensely immersive EP, "Red-tailed River"
Slightly more than two years after our review of La Palma’s 2nd LP Moonflower, and thankfully, the band has returned in top form for another fantastic record, Red-tailed River. Read on as we take a closer look into the album, as well as a much needed update on the band.
La Palma's new EP, Red-tailed River invites listeners on a sonic journey through the natural world. Each track seamlessly blends together, creating a cohesive and dreamy soundscape that blends psych pop and indie folk textures. It’s 100% an ideal follow up to their last record, but in this scenario, it seems as though they’ve escalated everything that worked so well in the past. It’s both a band and a record we wholeheartedly recommend getting into.
The EP kicks off with "Hawks in the Sky," a track that takes inspiration from bird watching outside Chris Walker's home in San Francisco. Walker's soothing vocals perfectly capture the ethereal feeling of watching hawks soar above. The track builds slowly, incorporating layers of dreamy guitars and synths, before soaring to a climactic finish.
"Rock Creek," sung by Tim Gibbon, takes its inspiration from the river behind his house in Washington DC. Gibbon's vocals are gentle and introspective, as he imagines absorbing patience and solace from the flowing water. The track is anchored by a steady drumbeat and delicate acoustic guitar, creating a sense of serenity and calm. There’s something very Animal Collective-esque about their music making and the sounds they’ve achieved, but in a way that still differentiates them from similar branded artists.
The EP comes to a close with "Feather Sticks," a “sun-soaked instrumental postlude” that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of basking in the warmth of a lazy summer day. The track's laid-back vibe brings the EP to a satisfying conclusion, leaving the listener feeling peaceful and content. Our only real “complaint” collectively is we wish we had an entire LP’s worth of tracks to lose ourselves in. However, there’s no denying that what they’ve created here is jam-packed with quality.
Overall, Red-tailed River is a beautifully crafted EP that showcases La Palma's talent for creating dreamy, introspective pop music. The band's ability to weave together natural themes and lush instrumentation creates a cohesive and immersive listening experience that is sure to transport listeners to a world of tranquility and beauty. Please click the links below to get listening, following along, and of course to stay up to date for all future releases.
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