The Reds, Pinks & Purples: Summer At Land’s End [Album Review]

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The Reds, Pinks & Purples
Summer At Land’s End
Tough Love/Slumberland Records [2022]

San Francisco’s The Reds, Pinks & Purples can write some of the most gorgeous tragic indie pop songs you will here on the current scene. The group is the primary work of songwriter Glenn Donaldson and Summer At Land’s End is the forth full length from the group which follows an excellent string of releases in Uncommon Weather (2021), You Might Be Happy Someday (2020), and Anxiety Art (2019). As with his previous records, Summer At Land’s End is no different when it comes to its presentation of themes which include unhappiness and conflict.

Once again, the tracks are all bundled in a soft breeze of indie jangle. The music here is slightly more polished than previous outings but still pulls you into its lyrics and acts as a buffer to some of the harder hitting lines. From the opening song, “Don’t Come Home Too Soon,” you will immediately experience Donaldson’s directness blanketed with pop sensibility in the verse “low self-esteem, old patterns / we’d be better off without / still I need you more / I need you more / but don’t come home too soon.” This same type of smooth melodic flow happens song after song with “Pour The Light In” and “Upside In An Empty Room” representing other highlights. There are also two instrumentals on the record that complement the overall ambiance with the middle landing title track acting as an intermission for relaxation and to prepare for the emotional journey that follows.

The Reds, Pinks & Purples have created another timeless record in Summer At Land’s End. The music offers more and more upon repeat plays, which is why this record is still in my rotation and just now getting a review as it was released digitally back in February. More recently its vinyl was released that also comes in a 2LP limited version that includes an excellent 11 track instrumental companion album that I highly recommend checking out. With four releases in a row of high quality, I hope that The Reds, Pinks & Purples keep the momentum moving into 2023 as this release is close to their best!

KEY TRACKS
“Don’t Come Home Too Soon” / “Pour The Light In” / “Let’s Pretend We’re Not In Love”

ARTISTS WITH SIMILAR FIRE
Papercuts / Ultimate Painting / Smokescreens

THE REDS, PINKS & PURPLES LINKS
Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Tough Love Records | Slumberland Records

Thomas Wilde
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