Strutting a melodic pop immediacy amidst heartfelt inspiration, Songs From Hospital Rooms is the new EP from Classtronaut. The Boise, Idaho-based act melds nostalgic electro-pop and breezy, hypnotic yacht-pop for a memorable sound — first catching our ears in September with the track “Chemical Reaction.” That track showed shades of Cut Copy and Tame Impala in its dazzling sound, and this EP continues that hooky precision.
The EP title references the release’s creative process, written during hospital stays as band member Brian Fortson supported his son, who was born with a rare genetic illness. Opening track “Nightshift” invokes the insomnia present during these late nights, weaving contemplative lyrical questioning and initially mellow, synth-forward developments into a glistening “you were always patient with me” outpouring. The blaring synths and buzzing culminations pair with lush vocal immersion, creating a sound ideal for nighttime driving.
The ensuing “Some Other People” unveils gorgeous vocal harmonies to start, weaving in slide guitars and colorful synths; shades of Dent May and other Brian Wilson-inspired contemporaries show, enjoyably, as relatable lyrics capture “so many people trying to make it through the night.” The EP continues to captivate in its conveyances of personal struggles, particularly in the darkening hours, when the world feels still though troubles persist. EP finale “Orbit” is a slice of funky synth-pop satiation, moving from suave intrigue into charismatic vocal emotion. Songs From Hospital Rooms is an enveloping success of an EP from Classtronaut.
