Philadelphia-based band Depression, Mom entrance with their new song “Once In California,” taking inspiration from the Spector Sound. Pulsing guitars and click-clacking percussion exude an initial quaintness, with both bright and dark rises possible. The former emerges, hooking decisively with a shimmering surf-pop energy. The seamless growth from brooding verses into a bursting, bright hook reminds fondly of Mitski and Snail Mail. “Do you ever think of me?” the vocals ask here, gripping melodically into the replay-inducing, key-forward “why can’t I be what you want me to be?” bridge. Wordless vocals and bouncy guitar twangs craft another addictive bridge shortly thereafter. “Once In California” touts an abundance of addictive hooks within its fun, nostalgic production.
“We wanted to create a nostalgic song that made people feel like they could listen to it while reminiscing on their childhood or staring out the window of a car,” the band says. “This song is about the feeling you get when you realize you must leave a relationship but you try everything in your power to make it work. Sometimes you have to learn to just let go.”
The track was produced by Nick Krill (War on Drugs, Dove and the Wolf, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah).
—
This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2022’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Pop.
