Coming off the traumatic year we just had, it’s hard to simply wipe the slate clean. But sometimes letting go of the past is the only way towards progress. Yes, local music remains on a calamitous precipice and we’ve lost too much (R.I.P. Mammal Gallery, Music Room, Caledonia Lounge, Sound Table, and more), but with the passage of the much-needed Save Our Stages Act and the vaccine rollout underway, relief appears to be on the horizon for an industry decimated by the pandemic. Still, let’s not kid ourselves; it’s going to be a long, difficult road forward.
For the moment, however, let’s set aside any grand designs and focus on what’s in front of us. Judging from all the Bandcamp alerts and promo emails popping into our inbox lately, I’d say local artists are eager to break out of isolation and connect with their communities again. To that end, Immersive Atlanta is excited to continue our TRIPLE THREAT feature. While the premise has always been simple—a spotlight on three new songs that have captivated our attention—over the years it’s helped guide our coverage and keep tabs on the local scene. We hope it’s helped you keep up, too. So here you go: Three tracks that topped our local playlist this week. Press play and enjoy. – Guillermo Castro
Mattiel – “Those Words”
From the “Those Words” b/w “Freedom Feels” 7″
On “Those Words,” Mattiel confronts wasting time on people who don’t deserve it. Giving of ourselves when we have nothing left to offer can trap us under a blanket of regret, but Mattiel encourages us to unchain ourselves from expectations by addressing such regrets with optimism. On the group’s Bandcamp page, she writes, “It’s really just about choosing who to give your energy to. If someone isn’t treating you with respect or crosses your boundaries, you don’t owe them anything.” This concept is stark in its simplicity but nearly esoteric in its application. Such maxims are hard to follow because the human experience is impossibly messy, but what better reminder of the truth than an unassuming pop song. The spirited track is a perfectly executed studio endeavor, demonstrating just how much Mattiel continues to come into her own as a lyricist and vocalist. Jonah Swilley’s crisp guitar hooks cut through the warbling synthetic atmosphere as she reminds us that maybe we should take a day, an hour, or even just a minute for ourselves. – Russell Rockwell
The “Those Words” b/w “Freedom Feels” 7″ is available for pre-order here.
More Info
Web: mattiel.com
Bandcamp: mattiel.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @therealmattiel
Instagram: @mattielworldwide
Twitter: @mattielworldwde
Small Reactions – “New Age Soul”
From the upcoming LP, New Age Soul
Leave it to Small Reactions to knot up your insides while slapping a smile on your face. I’m not sure what I like best about this new single—the teethy guitars, the thumping drums, or the dazzling ‘60s pop melodies. But why choose? Small Reactions have been the real deal for so long now—the full package—it’s easy to take for granted the ease with which they turn out brainy corkers like this. The group has always been, first and foremost, about dynamism and evolution, and while “New Age Soul” builds on the twitchy intensity that has been their calling card, it also grows their sound into something more vibrant and intricate. Combining sunny hooks with an angular motorik thrust, consider the track the perfect antidote for today’s dreary storm cloud gloom. – GC
“New Age Soul” is the lead single and title track from Small Reactions’ forthcoming LP, out sometime this year via SofaBurn Records.
More Info
Bandcamp: smallreactions.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @smallreactions
Instagram: @smallreactions
SoundCloud: @smallreactions
Twitter: @smallreactions
Jaguar Purrs – “A Gentle Man”
From the standalone single
Since his early work in Mara and Vera Vera, Jordan Parker’s music has shown a penchant for murky production with songs that gently shimmer in ways similar to Peach State contemporaries New Madrid or Washed Out. Make no mistake: you can count on Jaguar Purrs’ stirring songs to get stuck in your head. So it should come as no surprise that “A Gentle Man” ups the ante. Parker is more focused here, with his vocals sitting more upfront in the mix. That bit of additional clarity lets you hear some of his playful imagery—of demons who hate early wake-up calls and love to slur through karaoke—and really soak in the laidback energy. It’s gauzy and dreamy, but the neener-neener guitar melody provides a nice counterweight with enough verve to make anyone shuffle around their too-small apartment.– Ethan Fogus
More Info
Bandcamp: jaguarpurrs.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @jaguarpurrs
Instagram: @jaguarpurrs
SoundCloud: @jaguarpurrs