On their lead single from The Couch Cushion EP, Olivia Valentine transforms a simple request into an orchestral fever dream. “My Records Back” arrives like a baroque pop tornado, with vintage synths and horn arrangements swirling around what initially presents as a straightforward indie rock foundation.

The New Orleans-based outfit, spearheaded by Phil Korosec and Geoff Hrabar, demonstrates remarkable restraint in their maximalism. Each instrumental flourish serves the narrative, from the horns that punctuate moments of tension to the vintage synthesizers that create an atmosphere of displaced time. It’s the sound of a memory being actively distorted by the present.

Within the lyrics, a seemingly simple demand – “I want my records back” – becomes a metaphor for powerlessness. The protagonist oscillates between assertion and submission, “trying to get up” only to have their elbow grabbed, watching others who “came just to party” while deeper dramas unfold. The repetition of “Is that too much to ask?” carries increasing weight with each iteration.

The track’s arrangement mirrors this emotional turbulence. Traditional indie rock structures dissolve and reconstitulate themselves throughout the piece, while baroque elements weave through the gaps like ivy through lattice. It’s here that Korosec’s jazz background and the band’s collective experience shine, allowing them to navigate these complex musical territories without losing the song’s emotional thread.

Thomas Dietzel’s trombone work deserves special mention, adding textural depth that elevates the track beyond typical indie rock territory. Meanwhile, Larissa Dietzel’s bass lines and Daniel Bishop’s percussion create a rhythmic foundation solid enough to support the song’s more experimental flourishes. The result feels both grounded and weightless, like a house floating in a tornado.

The production captures the band at a creative peak, building on the promise of their 2023 debut Reverberations while pushing into new sonic territory. The addition of baroque pop elements doesn’t feel like mere ornament but rather an essential evolution of their sound, suggesting exciting possibilities for the full EP dropping this fall.

“Some came just to party / But most were in disbelief” serves as both lyrical centerpiece and mission statement. It’s a perfect encapsulation of how Olivia Valentine approaches their craft – creating music that works on multiple levels, rewarding both casual listeners and those willing to dive deeper into its complexities.

When the song drops on July 19th, it will serve as more than just a preview of the upcoming EP – it’s a statement of intent from a band that has found its sweet spot between experimentation and accessibility. Fans can catch these new arrangements live when the band performs at the New Marigny Theater on November 22nd, but until then, “My Records Back” offers plenty to unpack.

The final whispered “Sorry” that closes the track feels less like an apology and more like a promise of things to come, suggesting that while this chapter of Olivia Valentine’s story may be ending, the next one is already being written.”

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By calexanderpoetry, November 13, 2024

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Olivia Valentine’s “And Now Just Be” is a meticulously crafted piece of indie rock that blends progressive elements with Brit-pop sensibilities. The track’s production showcases the band’s attention to detail, from the vocals recorded through vintage equipment like the Purple MC77 to the carefully selected array of guitars running through a Vox AC15. The layered instrumentation creates a rich sonic landscape that supports the song’s surreal narrative.

Lyrically, “And Now Just Be” tells the story of a man who chooses to escape modern life’s pressures by joining the pond creatures in their underwater world. Lines like “Sunlight shines a path along the bottom rim / He sinks / Further” paint a vivid picture of willing submersion, while the chorus’s invitation “We do not bite / We once had legs / And now we’re free” adds an element of dark whimsy to the tale. The song transforms a simple observation during dog walks into a compelling metaphor for finding peace by stepping away from society’s demands, showcasing Olivia Valentine’s ability to craft narratives that are both fantastical and deeply relatable

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It’s a slightly unhinged fantasy Phil Korosec describes—one his band, Olivia Valentine, milks for all its worth as the premise for latest single “And Now Just Be,” from The Couch Cushion EP, out in late January. Heavily influenced by Radiohead, Flaming Lips, Broken Social Scene and (to a lesser extent) the prog rock and metal of their youth, Korosec and Olivia Valentine cofounder Geoff Hrabar are no spring chickens. The two met at a local coffeehouse more than 30 years ago when Korosec was a film student at the University of New Orleans. They’ve been friends, collaborators and bandmates in various capacities ever since. Originally conceived as a studio project in 2017, Olivia Valentine evolved into more of a proper band with the release of its debut LP, Reverberations, in 2023.

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Olivia Valentine’s adept craftsmanship shines through, inviting listeners into a sonic realm rich with emotive resonance and timeless allure.

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You can watch the trippy music video below from YouTube or check it out over on Spotify. Be sure to check out the forthcoming EP The Couch Cushion sometime this fall, as well as their most recent album Reverberations.

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Coming via their upcoming EP, The Couch Cushion EP, “My Records Back” excels in its melding of vintage synths, glistening guitar twangs, and emergent horn arrangements. More elongated vocal tones send chills alongside the mellow keys, while various vocal harmonies combine gorgeously with horns, spacey synths, and charismatic guitars as the conclusion approaches. “My Records Back” has us firmly anticipating their upcoming EP.

See the review here.

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