Evergreens is the newest album from prolific San Fransisco-based singer-songwriter, Alex Sanders. evergreens will be the sixth release in the last two years and the second this year following February’s high tides.
This time round, Sanders has decided to zero in on the folkier side of their ever-expanding catalog of chill, bedroom pop offerings. Rich, deep acoustic guitars act as the perfect canvas for softly sung vocals and chorused guitar solos to paint in shimmering and twinkly colored tones that result in a pastoral, folky feeling work of art. It’s psychedelic bedroom pop, and this bedroom is specifically one in a secluded cabin in a heavily wooded forest.
Album opener “another day” begins with nothing more than a steady acoustic guitar strumming and Sanders’ softly sung vocals and subtle percussion. By the time we arrive at the chorus we are transcending, swaying to an angelic and heartbreakingly beautiful melody. For a nice touch of contrast, a guitar solo, tinged with a tasteful amount of fuzz, then floats up between choruses. The album is full of these tranquil moments, such as on the appropriately named “floating” with its drum machine beats, shimmering guitar leads, and full synth chords which feels like the listener is lazily swimming to nowhere in particular as a warm river of lush sonic instrumentation washes over them.
evergreens contains plenty of fresh feeling songs that add touches of variety, such as the slightly more somber “memories”, who’s woozy guitar leads and dark rhythm guitar strums once again contrast Sanders effortless and airy vocal performance. The album’s namesake tune is a true standout with George Harrison-esque slide guitar and psychedelic reverberations.
A record of such solitude wouldn’t be complete without some sparser fare, Alex Sanders doesn’t disappoint with songs like the electric piano led “in the meantime” and the minimally orchestrated “relief” that has an emotional aura that appropriately reflect the general vibe of the whole track list. This graceful and vibey collection of acoustic pop and airy melodies both stands out and furthers Alex Sanders’ chill indie pop output.
evergreens is set to be released on Friday, August 23rd.
Written by John Brouk
