Those Looks hail from Lambertville, New Jersey, a small city alongside the Delaware River known for its socially progressive culture and picturesque character. Tourism is a hot industry there: Lambertville is a place where young and creative folks tend to seek escape, inspiration, love, and themselves. Or so I’ve heard. (New Hope, PA, which is just down the road, has the same vibe.)
Anyhow, the velvet pop four-piece has just released their newest single, “Cherry”, a bittersweet ode to missed connections and social awkwardness. Kelly Bolding’s vocals are strong, but in the moments where she sings solo, you can also hear a waver of vulnerability that accentuates the lyrics. “I bloom like a cherry in December,” Bolding sings, “dangerously out of season.” From there, the song explores the concept of arriving at the wrong time, waiting for the moment that never comes.
The rest of the band – Sylvia Barrantes on guitar, Randall Newman on bass, and Shaun Ellis on drums – provide lush harmonies behind Bolding, and create a sound that feels tight-knit but loose and wistful, resulting in something bittersweet. It is pure indie bliss for pensive swaying along the riverbank in chilly weather.
“Cherry” is a lovely and self-reflective song, noting that while missed opportunities hurt, another chance always comes around, as Bolding sings at the end: “Good thing time’s a circle and not a line/Next life, I will try to get this right.” If you find yourself seeking something you think you’ve missed, perhaps head to Those Looks’ hometown of Lambertville. If their music scene is any indication, it seems like the kind of place where second chances turn into something wonderful.
Keep up with Those Looks on Instagram.
Written by Will Sisskind
