If you’re playing the indie music futures market, bet that Dent May is going to make a big splash this summer. His album last year, Do Things, was phenomenally catchy — #20 on our list of best albums last year. May has the pop songwriting smarts and accessible, funk-tinged stylistic arsenal to be a star on many summer playlists. His upcoming album Warm Blanket, out August 27th on Paw Tracks, should make waves as well. Its first single, “Born Too Late”, continues what May does best; he topples funk-tinged arrangements with staples of swirling key-tinged psychedelia, and a touch of Brit-pop for good measure.
A simple yet playful piano loop gets things started on “Born Too Late”, which gradually shifts downward in tone before May’s spunky vocals emerge over an additional hip-thrusting vocal background additive. By the time “Born Too Late” launches into a dramatic string-laden bridge, and then a perky keyboard swirl, its propensity for repeated listens is evident. Try to listen to this track just once; it’s hard to put it down. This sort of high replay value made Do Things such a great album, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Warm Blanket finds even greater industry success now that May has settled into his shoes. I can’t wait to play Warm Blanket on the beach, without a care for anything but the crashing waves in front and the sweet summer-themed hooks emanating from my headphones.
Warm Blanket track listing:
1 Turn Up The Speakers
2 Let Them Talk
3 Born Too Late
4 Yazoo
5 Corner Piece
6 Do I Cross Your Mind?
7 It Takes A Long Time
8 I’m Ready To Be Old
9 Endlessly
10 Found A Friend
11 Summer Is Over
