Artist: Sweetsoak
Album: stained hands b/w bitter sugar
Bandcamp
Seattle based shoegaze / noise pop band Sweetsoak is back with two new songs, "stained hands" and "bitter sugar." With their signature dream pop grunge vibes, and equal parts lofi and polished vocals, we are effortlessly delivered to the emo rock landscape they paint so vividly, and well.
On the first track, "stained hands" the band dives right to the heart of the matter. What seems to be a song about a relationship gone awry, and the swim through the murky waters of getting back to feeling normal again. "been on the search for something, something to dull the suffering, something to numb the pain, to nullify the shame." Fuzzed out guitars and heavy hitting drums drive this song, with vocals sitting perfectly in the mix as the guitars go through circular shifts in tone and strumming styles. Dreamy and melancholy, coming to the end of a dream that's run it's course. Check out the black and white video for this song on their Bandcamp here while you listen: Video
On the flip side, the second track "bitter sugar" is the upbeat, 'road trip on a sunny day' sound we didn't know we needed. Melodic guitar lines and a steady alt-rock drum feel, the bass comes in powerful and massive, creating huge drops into each section and a jumping off point for the vocals and lead guitar to cut through the noise. The lyrics playfully dance around the ideas of bitter and sweet tastes, and the struggles to get back to a healthy routine, whether it's eating, sleeping, or thinking... "and i'm okay but I feel sick." Overall this release from Sweetsoak is another testament to their steady but ever evolving sound! Each song has it's own unique feel and message, but still finds a way to return to their signature sound.
Check out Sweetsoak on social media for future releases, and make sure to take a listen to "stained hands b/w bitter sugar" below: