Cambridge, MA indie folk quartet Darlingside’s new release, Extralife, is another polished contemporary folk album that is both inventive and witty. The set is filled with sophisticated songwriting, lush vocal harmonies, spare acoustic guitar and reverb with additional flourishes of unconventional sounds (like MIDI video game noises) and syncopated rhythms. Darlingside’s influences include early Simon & Garfunkel, the Everly Brothers and the Beach Boys, yet Darlingside pushes those classic sounds further, making them sound fresh and revealing something new with each listen. Album highlights include: the opening title-track “Extra Life”; the understated gem “Old Friend”; the astrological lament “Orion”; the ode to the film legend “Rita Hayworth”; the atmospheric “Lindisfarne”; and the stunning “Hold Your Head Up High.” Extra Life is a gorgeous pastoral indie folk album that is not to be missed. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Hey Marseilles, The Kingsbury Manx, The Milk Carton Kids, Simon & Garfunkel, Winterpills