Posted October 15 2018 at 5:49 pm
Genre: Indie rock / Indie foik

Skylight: Pinegrove's move from local gem to major indie player

Combining the vulnerable substance of emo, the slow draw of folk and the punchiness of pop punk, this band has captured a sound that is at once nostalgic and sentimental.

Written by
Becca Carroll

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These last few months of 2018 are proving to be something of an implied ‘last call’ for the music industry, with tons of artists rushing to get one last order on their tab, so to speak. I’m personally overwhelmed by the sheer number of new releases, and that’s not even considering some of the names that are behind a lot of the releases. November has been witness to a whole new take on powerpop from Muse, Imagine Dragons’ pleasantly surprising new industrial outfit, The 1975’s shocking mainstream makeover… basically, it’s been a flood of chart-dominating pop-rock—all occurring in the wake of Twenty One Pilots’ comeback record . And during all the year-end chaos, sandwiched subtly in between it all was the quiet release of Pinegrove’s returning album, Skylight

This time last year, Pinegrove was edging on a transition from a local gem to a major player in indie rock with the response elicited by their sophomore record, Cardinal (2016). However, the five-piece didn’t fare quite as well towards the end of 2017 as they have with this year’s surge of industry and fanbase recognition. Faced last November with charges of sexual coercion by a former partner, frontman and singer/songwriter Evan Hall stepped away from the band for a bit with an honest statement and a lengthy absence, delaying the new record’s release date. But, with all that aside, the band has edged their way back onto the NJ scene with the shyly promoted release of Skylight and the announcement that they’ll be heading a North American tour.

These last few months of 2018 are proving to be something of an implied ‘last call’ for the music industry, with tons of artists rushing to get one last order on their tab, so to speak. I’m personally overwhelmed by the sheer number of new releases, and that’s not even considering some of the names that are behind a lot of the releases. November has been witness to a whole new take on powerpop from Muse, Imagine Dragons’ pleasantly surprising new industrial outfit, The 1975’s shocking mainstream makeover… basically, it’s been a flood of chart-dominating pop-rock—all occurring in the wake of Twenty One Pilots’ comeback record . And during all the year-end chaos, sandwiched subtly in between it all was the quiet release of Pinegrove’s returning album, Skylight

This time last year, Pinegrove was edging on a transition from a local gem to a major player in indie rock with the response elicited by their sophomore record, Cardinal (2016). However, the five-piece didn’t fare quite as well towards the end of 2017 as they have with this year’s surge of industry and fanbase recognition. Faced last November with charges of sexual coercion by a former partner, frontman and singer/songwriter Evan Hall stepped away from the band for a bit with an honest statement and a lengthy absence, delaying the new record’s release date. But, with all that aside, the band has edged their way back onto the NJ scene with the shyly promoted release of Skylight and the announcement that they’ll be heading a North American tour.

“Rings” by Pinegrove official audio via YouTube

Over the now six years of crafting their DIY indie folk portfolio, Pinegrove ought to be most highly praised for their consistency. Each of their songs feel like separate limbs extending from the same tree—which, of course, could be said for many bands carrying such a distinct sound, but there is something far more cohesive about the soft, cerebral world wrapped up inside Pinegrove’s music. From the swelling, more disjointed style of “Intrepid” to one-tone draw of “Thanksgiving”—while neither of which fall into my top five—even tracks that may stray from your taste can wrap you up in the record’s warm, somehow familiar feeling. There is a homey, atmospheric feel in gorgeous songs like “Skylight” and “Lights Off,” in which bright instrumentals and Hall’s candid lyrics are at the core. Pinegrove’s music is patient, touching, and altogether human, forming a collection that is emotionally relevant and very close to the heart. Take a peek at Pinegrove’s new material linked below, or stream Skylight in full on Spotify or Bandcamp. 

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Posted Oct 15 2018 at 5:49 pm
Genre: Alternative pop

Skylight: Pinegrove’s move from local gem to major indie player

A review of Skylight by Pinegrove

jam it while you read…

These last few months of 2018 are proving to be something of an implied ‘last call’ for the music industry, with tons of artists rushing to get one last order on their tab, so to speak. I’m personally overwhelmed by the sheer number of new releases, and that’s not even considering some of the names that are behind a lot of the releases. November has been witness to a whole new take on powerpop from Muse, Imagine Dragons’ pleasantly surprising new industrial outfit, The 1975’s shocking mainstream makeover… basically, it’s been a flood of chart-dominating pop-rock—all occurring in the wake of Twenty One Pilots’ comeback record . And during all the year-end chaos, sandwiched subtly in between it all was the quiet release of Pinegrove’s returning album, Skylight

This time last year, Pinegrove was edging on a transition from a local gem to a major player in indie rock with the response elicited by their sophomore record, Cardinal (2016). However, the five-piece didn’t fare quite as well towards the end of 2017 as they have with this year’s surge of industry and fanbase recognition. Faced last November with charges of sexual coercion by a former partner, frontman and singer/songwriter Evan Hall stepped away from the band for a bit with an honest statement and a lengthy absence, delaying the new record’s release date. But, with all that aside, the band has edged their way back onto the NJ scene with the shyly promoted release of Skylight and the announcement that they’ll be heading a North American tour.

These last few months of 2018 are proving to be something of an implied ‘last call’ for the music industry, with tons of artists rushing to get one last order on their tab, so to speak. I’m personally overwhelmed by the sheer number of new releases, and that’s not even considering some of the names that are behind a lot of the releases. November has been witness to a whole new take on powerpop from Muse, Imagine Dragons’ pleasantly surprising new industrial outfit, The 1975’s shocking mainstream makeover… basically, it’s been a flood of chart-dominating pop-rock—all occurring in the wake of Twenty One Pilots’ comeback record . And during all the year-end chaos, sandwiched subtly in between it all was the quiet release of Pinegrove’s returning album, Skylight

This time last year, Pinegrove was edging on a transition from a local gem to a major player in indie rock with the response elicited by their sophomore record, Cardinal (2016). However, the five-piece didn’t fare quite as well towards the end of 2017 as they have with this year’s surge of industry and fanbase recognition. Faced last November with charges of sexual coercion by a former partner, frontman and singer/songwriter Evan Hall stepped away from the band for a bit with an honest statement and a lengthy absence, delaying the new record’s release date. But, with all that aside, the band has edged their way back onto the NJ scene with the shyly promoted release of Skylight and the announcement that they’ll be heading a North American tour.

“Rings” by Pinegrove official audio via YouTube

Over the now six years of crafting their DIY indie folk portfolio, Pinegrove ought to be most highly praised for their consistency. Each of their songs feel like separate limbs extending from the same tree—which, of course, could be said for many bands carrying such a distinct sound, but there is something far more cohesive about the soft, cerebral world wrapped up inside Pinegrove’s music. From the swelling, more disjointed style of “Intrepid” to one-tone draw of “Thanksgiving”—while neither of which fall into my top five—even tracks that may stray from your taste can wrap you up in the record’s warm, somehow familiar feeling. There is a homey, atmospheric feel in gorgeous songs like “Skylight” and “Lights Off,” in which bright instrumentals and Hall’s candid lyrics are at the core. Pinegrove’s music is patient, touching, and altogether human, forming a collection that is emotionally relevant and very close to the heart. Take a peek at Pinegrove’s new material linked below, or stream Skylight in full on Spotify or Bandcamp. 

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Posted on October 12, 2018 @ 9:47 am
Written by Becca Carroll

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