“Chin Up!” compels with a dazed rock charm, with a multi-vocal prowess leading to a a melodic drive of twangy guitar and lush piano. The track comes via Brooklyn-based act Whenwolves, and their upcoming EP, Recon for the Weirdos.
Bobby Lewis formed the project during the 2020 lockdown, which started after his former band Mustardmind became inactive. The additions of Eric Slick (Dr. Dog) on drums and Kristin Slipp (mmeadows, Dirty Projectors) on backing vocals cemented the project, joined thereafter by Bobby’s brother Billy on bass.
Described as “about stretching your comfort zone when there is so much pressure not to,” “Chin Up!” enamors especially with its hypnotic “push beyond,” refrain, where Lewis and Slipp’s vocals combine for a resonating pull amidst the steady guitar work, conjuring ’90s nostalgia in the vocals’ balancing between dreaminess and vigor.
The title-touting “chin up,” acknowledgement leads into a fulfilling finale, where the guitars expand and the glistening underlying piano become more prominent. “Chin Up!” is a stellar showing from Whenwolves.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of February 2023’ Spotify playlist.
