Virginia-based project Stray Fossa have impressed the past several years with an abundance of quality tracks, showing a dreamy, hooky sound that I’ve often compared to Wild Nothing. Finally, Stray Fossa have released their debut LP, With You For Ever. Its ten tracks remind me why I’ve been enamored by the band’s output since 2018; stellar songwriting flows naturally amidst an assortment of dream-pop and rock inclinations, also reminding of The Stone Roses on tracks like the opening “Hypocritic.” The track, thematically about contradictions, is supported by an animated video — from Filipino animator Rommel Joy Valencia. The video’s art and archival footage provide a colorful, apt trip with visual splendor.
Among the other highlights, “Something Sound” closes the album with a striking late-night feeling. A bustling bass line and trickling guitars complement lush vocals, expanding into a second half with glistening guitars, emerging responsive vocals, and synth-laden whirring. The track’s “can’t get out of this,” section haunts with the lushly alluring feel. Also notable in similarly late-night aptness is “Much For Us,” alternating beautifully between buzzing bass-led sounds, prancing keys, and expansive guitars. The vocal uptick around 02:17 plays especially well.
Seek out the album on any streaming platform, like Spotify, certainly. These three featured tracks provide an enjoyable taste of what to anticipate:
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“Something Sound” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of April 2021’ Spotify playlist.
