New Music: Coral Grief – Rockhounds

Not only do they have one of the best band names I’ve heard in years, but Seattle’s Coral Grief also have the music to justify the attention it’ll bring.

Whilst the title, Rockhounds, is possibly an oblique reference to beachcombing – a wonderful activity to while away the day – it’s something that is easier to decode from the lyrics.

And maybe that also feeds into the track’s colours and tones. There are shades of Slowdive and Stereolab (have I ever mentioned how much I love those bands?) in the vocals and arrangement, for sure.

But that motorik take on a dream pop sound occasionally drifts into a light dissonance, maybe betraying the slight seriousness that can undercut the disarming nature of beachcombing itself. The track augurs well for the trio’s Air Between Us LP.

Coral Grief vocalist Lena Farr Morrissey shares about the song, “I love beachcombing and searching for small treasures. This song is an ode to that process, especially when you don’t find anything but it was still worth the journey.”

“This also applies to appreciating the subtleties of an experience over material gain, which is something I’m always working on. The video is immersive and playful in a similar way, jumping back and forth between a day at the beach and a kaleidoscopic stage.”

Air Between Us is set for release in cassette, vinyl, and digital formats on the 18th of July via Anxiety Blanket Records, and is now up for pre-order on Bandcamp. For album and band news, make yourself known on the group’s Instagram and Facebook socials.