Lightly fuzzy guitar tones, charming, commanding vocals, and an understated sense of melancholia: those are the elements making ‘Placebo’ the great single it is. The latest effort by San Diego-based indie outfit Poems, the record functions as an impressive showcase of what they are capable of. A series of references come to mind, from Death Cab for Cutie to Interpol, passing through Arcade Fire, The National and early ‘2000 Californian indie. Yet, Poems are also highly unique, infusing their music with progressive intensity and a meaningful lyrical outlook.
Gearing up for an EP to be released later this year, the talented band have taken a keen interest in our society’s creative use of pills and medicine, especially when it comes to themes of anxiety and mental health. Such a nuanced topic is then framed into the struggle of becoming an adult, focusing on how some people might feel the need to make use of medication in order to cope with reality and expectations.
Featuring Philip Ernest, Grayson Hagopian, Zae Howell, Jeremy Smucker, and Sammuel McCubbin, Poems have so far delivered a clean string of singles and EPs, focusing on their relatable, nuanced songwriting and a sonic formula that’s not overly striking and rebellious. There’s a substantial amount of reflection in their music, a quality that speaks volumes about the band’s quality and purpose.
Recommended! Discover ‘Placebo’ on Spotify:
