Ahead of their CRSSD performance, the L.A.-based indie pop duo shares the tracks that inspired their new LP The Sugar Machine
Next weekend, CRSSD Festival returns to our fair city at downtown’s picturesque Waterfront Park, and one of the artists we’re most excited to check out is indie pop stalwarts slenderbodies. The California duo – comprised of Max Vehuni and Benji Cormack – is renowned for their catchy hooks, soothingly buoyant melodies, singalong choruses, and beautiful instrumental layers. All these elements of their sound coalesced in brilliant fashion once again on the sugar machine, their excellent most recent album, which dropped last month.
Tracks like “before” and “sunny eyes (anymore)” serve as wonderful showcases for Vehuni’s lovely falsetto vocals, which waft over lush guitars and infectious rhythms. There’s an indietronica and R&B kick to songs like “setting sun” and “crazy,” whose light and airy instrumentals – bass, guitar, and drums – conjure hypnotic grooves amidst subtle electronic elements. There isn’t a single skip on the record at all, as its hypnotizing energy also conveys a charming, transportive childlike quality, as the album explores the idea of how adults can recapture the innocence of their youth. The final one-two punch of “carousel” (featuring Josh Jacobson) and “anemoia” has been in our constant rotation ever since the album’s release. Each track is subtle and ballad-like – whether it is utilizing dueling guitars or lush piano melodies to achieve a spiritual catharsis. Overall, it’s another dynamic full-length release from the duo in what has been an impressive creative hot streak.
The slenderbodies duo has also shared with us a playlist of tracks that helped inspire the sugar machine. There’s a concise blending of indie rock and dance-inspired music throughout, whether its legendary guitar bands like The War On Drugs and Sigur Rós or more rhythmic, dance-y acts like Maribou State and Phoenix. To help prepare you for their upcoming shows (like CRSSD), or to help you grasp the nuances of the sugar machine, you can give that playlist a spin via Spotify and read the band’s thoughts on each track below. You can also stream the sugar machine as well.
“Glass Houses” by Maribou State: We loved the lush, playful nature of this song. Texturally beautiful and spacious, it feels like pure hope.
“Pain” by The War On Drugs: Amazing songwriting, with powerful yet delicate vocals. This song was a huge pillar of inspiration for the driving feeling of the instruments of the record.
“Oysters In My Pocket” by Royel Otis: Another huge sonic pillar, this song helped us conceptualize drums and how we could go about writing captivating, anthemic vocals.
“The Gold” by Manchester Orchestra: We’ve always been huge fans of MO, as well as as Andy’s side project, Bad Books, with Kevin Devine.
“Hoppipolla” by Sigur Rós: Sigur Rós was a huge inspiration for the ambient textures achieved on the OP1 for this album – very ethereal and innocent.
“Golden” by Szymon: Another point of raw inspiration, Szymon was a guiding light on how to blend elements together.
“1901” by Phoenix: This song is a ton of fun and one of our all-time favorites, it seems to make its way into our scope of inspiration for every record.
“Alco” by Half Moon Run: Beautiful blend of songwriting and full instrumentation. HMR were pivotal in helping us find a place for piano on the record.
“Ghost” by Husky: Another take on the driving nature of the record, we love the anthemic yet harmonically complex nature of this song.
“Memoir” by Ann Annie: Ann Annie has been such an important part of the ambient parts of the record, whether its brief moments of texture or the last track “anemoia.” Absolutely love their work.
