Since adopting his Buckhead Shaman moniker, Tyler Hobbs has proven himself a mercurial songwriter. Part of this eclecticism can be attributed to his eagerness to collaborate with a wide group of musicians, but there’s no denying that Hobbs appears fascinated with the many directions one can stretch and twist a pop song. Past efforts have seen the DIY songwriter embrace elements of everything from abstract psychedelia and dream pop to sinewy rock, so it’s no surprise to find Hobbs once again expanding his musical horizons.

“I’m About It,” the lead cut from Buckhead Shaman’s new two-song single, sounds like yacht rock on speed. The smooth melodies and breezy rhythms are there, but the delivery is brisk, insistent—almost agitated. To help create the song’s lush grooves, Hobbs enlisted the help of bassist Grandma Stuff and vocalist Zee G whose airy accompaniment brings needed depth to Hobbs’ more stoic, nearly deadpan singing. On the surface, it’s a driving, propulsive number with an elastic funk feel, but it’s hard to shake the aura of unease lurking beneath. No wonder it’s a love song.

Meanwhile, “Toby’s Theme” sees Hobbs reaching deep into his bag of tricks and taking a surrealist approach to production. The song swells forward in a glut of expansive textures and impressionist layering of sounds. It’s a fantastical track that takes it cues from the likes of the Beatles and the Flaming Lips, although the enveloping echoes that reverberate within Buckhead Shaman’s soundscape feel more woozy than blissed out, a result, perhaps, of the way the single was recorded.

“[I] wanted to take more of a punk rock approach: record it at home, fast, not spending too much time mulling over the mixes,” says Hobbs. “I’m About It” is plainly and simply a love song. It’s thin and to the point. “Toby’s Theme” is more of a dense work that I felt like adding more and more layers to. The two tracks are very different, but they’re both good indicators of what’s to come from Buckhead Shaman. New record is being written now.”

More Info
Bandcamp: buckheadshaman.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @BuckheadShaman
Instagram: @buckheadshaman
SoundCloud: @buckheadshaman