Described by the artist as “a jangling dreamy pop anthem about overthinking about the next day ahead!”, I’m sure many of us can relate.
Despite this somewhat foreboding description, the song feels breezy and carefree — if you don’t listen to it too carefully. Lyrics like “I’m sitting in the dark, running through my whole day on replay” reveal a level of anxiety that feels decidedly at odds with the whimsical, breezy feel of the music – a Stevie Zita speciality – and a trick also used quite effectively historically by acts like The Smiths, Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura.
Outside of the lyrical content, other musical highlights include the persistent, snappy drums (and their relationship with the bass), the Darwin Deez-esque guitar, and a chiming lead line that is subtle but perfectly gauged.
Stylistically, this feels like it falls somewhere in-between classic Californian sunshiney rock and pop vibes (even potentially going back as far as The Beach Boys) and the sound of more modern UK indie bands like The Charlatans, The Kooks and Bombay Bicycle Club, despite the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist coming from Toronto, Canada.
Imbued with his now-trademark blend of sunshine and sadness, Stevie is an artist we’ve covered innumerable times on this blog; he never ceases to amaze and he doesn’t disappoint.
Take a listen to “Incognito” below:
Written by Kinda Grizzly
