If slacker rock, indie folk, and emo had a ménage à trois, the resulting lovechild might sound something like 22-year-old singer/songwriter Dylan Blay. Picture Perfect is pop perfection but also decidedly wonky and arty in its charming execution and expression.
Opening with a minimal electronic drum beat that only lasts a few seconds before being replaced by a fantastically effective rock arrangement, it quickly finds its formidable footing.
The shimmery tremolo guitar is probably the centre piece here, but honestly, it’s hard to choose only one particular highlight. From the earnest vocal delivery to the choppy chords to the chugging bassline holding everything together, every piece plays a part. Musically, this reminds us a little of the very first artist we reviewed for Start Track – Grady Philip Drugg – and his song David Died.
From a distinct blend of desperation, adoration, and anxiety, Picture Perfect was born. In truth, it’s romantic neuroses bottled, shaken up, and sprayed everywhere. Emotions spew up, over, and out as Blay delivers classic line after classic line in his trademark, slightly nasal, but incredibly charming drawl.
Lyrics like the opening couplet of “you’re not all that you say that you are, but that doesn’t matter, we can go and drive in my car” and “all alone just the two of us and the leaves turning red” perfectly paint the picture (no pun intended). We can almost hear the autumn leaves crunch between the tires and the tarmac as the couple sits quietly, the precious minutes they have left constantly depleting, like sand slipping through the fingers of your lover on the beach
The song’s subject matter, specifically its protagonists, has limited time – they have to make these moments count. And whether they did or not remains a mystery – but the song that came out of it is an absolute work of art. Take a bow, Mr. Blay.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
