LP Review : Tracy Bryant – Subterranean (Post Nineties)

Tracy Bryant est un artiste originaire de Los Angeles qui vient de faire paraître un premier album, via Burger Records, qui reprend plusieurs des titres de 2 in 1, un split avec Billy Changer paru via Burger en 2014. Les onze morceaux qui le composent donne à Subterranean des allures d’album californien (on ne s’en étonnera pas) que Tracy Bryant couple avec un son parfois (seulement) plus brumeux. Alors que Tomorrows Tulips vient tout juste de s’élever au rang des meilleurs groupes de post-nineties, Tracy Bryant vient lui griller la priorité en délivrant un premier LP très convaincant. L’album est produit par Matt Rendon (des Resonars) – un gage de qualité indéniable – et s’aide des membres de Froth et des Mystic Braves. L’équipe était ainsi formée. 

(mp3) Tracy Bryant – Subterranean
(mp3) Tracy Bryant – I’m Never Gonna Be Your Man

Liens afférents :
Article sur le dernier Tomorrows Tulips
Interview Still in Rock avec Burger Records

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ENGLISH Version
(french above)

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Tracy Bryant is a Los Angeles-based artist, who has just released his first album, on Burger Records, including several tracks from 2 in 1, a split album with Billy Changer released on Burger in 2014. The 11 tracks of the album give Subterranean the looks of a Californian album (which isn’t a surprise), that Tracy Bryant combines with a -only sometimes- blurrier sound. While Tomorrows Tulips has just reached the status of one of the best post-nineties bands, Tracy Bryant jumps the gun by delivering a truly convincing first LP. The album is produced by Matt Rendon (from The Resonars) – an undeniable quality assurance – and takes some help from the members of Froth and Mystic Braves. The team was formed.

“Come Around”, the introduction track, doesn’t reveal much of the album content. Quite pop, it has some Californian vibes that recall the old hands, but it still lacks a bit of originality. “Spaceman” (a tribute to Spaceman 3?) is way more accomplished. Tracy Bryant shows that he knows how to create a very good indie pop, taking a shoegaze instrumental that he mixes with an acoustic guitar in a folk approach, a rarely used combo. What’s next? Next is “Subterranean”, undeniably the best song of the album. Tracy Bryant plays with his two major influences: the sunshine of his homeland, and the East coast Deerhunter/DIIV/noisy sound. Please welcome one of the best tracks of 2016 so far.

“The Gun” reminds of the 80s pop, such as Club and Spiritualized. Tracy Bryant makes a quasi-instrumental track that works well. “Shining”, way more pop and less surprising, manages little by little to impose its Californian touch. He pursues the operation with “Start The Motor”, but this is precisely the kind of song that drags the album a bit down. Not that it’s not enjoyable, but Tracy Bryant doesn’t seem to set the bar high enough, relying on some bouncy and cheerful melodies, yet missing the opportunity to impose his own style. In this case, the song catches up thanks to a good ending, but it doesn’t go much further than that.

“I’m Never Gonna Be Your Man” introduces some more heaviness. Tracy Bryant has never been better than when his music seems to develop at night, in opposition to the Californian sun that we’re starting to get familiar with. His voice is also more aggressive, which is perfectly coherent. Then comes “Background Singer”, which welcomes us to Florida with open arms. Tracy Bryant complicates the analysis with some surf music in which we don’t hear all the classics of the style. The nonchalant voice breaks with a formulaic setup, in a well-executed way. “Want” introduces the final trio. This track, one of the darkest of the album, has the merit of making us enjoy a more inspired Tracy Bryant again. As for “Tell You”, perfectly cadenced, it contrasts greatly with the “17 000 Miles” lullaby.

Read our interview with Burger Records

In the end, Subterranean will stand as a reference in Tracy Bryant’s discography. On a very personal note, I think that he would benefit from working in the darker side of the force in order to beef up a sound that can still increase in scale. In other words, his penchant for Californian shoegaze could be more developed in the service of a music ever more unique. In any ways, Subterranean is a big statement considering the fact that it builds a sound identity for an artist that will soon be in the spotlight.