Inherently nostalgic, ‘Stylus’ is an exquisitely wholesome record, the kind of exquisitely crafted, timeless material that’s bound to appeal to a rather wider audience out there. Described as piano-rock by its author, American songwriter and musician Dave Lebental, ‘Stylus’ feels rowdy and dynamic, a slice of unapologetic retro rock matter drenched in bluesy and Americana allure. Drawing on legendary icons such as The Beatles, Elton John, Supertramp, and Elvis Costello, the album swaps rowdy rock’n’roll guitar distortion for a playful, charming electric piano, a choice that appears to be paying off in the end.
You see, ‘Stylus’ does a great job of maintaining a triumphally energetic allure, all the while unleashing a stream of catchy melodies and heartfelt harmonies. Lebental’s vocals are impressively precise and prophetic, here indulging in day-to-day storytelling with a keen, relatable component. Alongside the Los Angeles-based troubadour, we find his trusty live band, Karma Train. A wonderful horn section helps ‘Stylus’ a grandiose, anthemic character, shortening the distance between the song’s rock and pop roots.
Delving deeper into the record, Lebental explains: “The title ‘Stylus’ reflects who I am as a songwriter, a lifelong vinyl listener, and a recording artist who’s always balancing new ideas with classic form. I wanted a title that nodded quietly to my love of albums and the ritual of listening. I knew a stylus as the needle on a turntable, what I didn’t realise at first is that the word also means a writing instrument. Once I made that connection, it felt exactly right. The album lives at that intersection: songs written by hand, then brought to life on record.”
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