Diving At Dawn - “Playing Your Records”

Photo by K. Myburgh

Pete Hobbs, aka Diving At Dawn, has just released “Playing Your Records,” a delightfully lo-fi dream pop song that comes dangerously close to the realm of folk music.

This track begins with the glimpse of the static that you hear after dropping the needle on your favorite record. Moments later, we are joined by some thick bass being played beneath some vibey piano, all atop a lo-fi beat. A guitar is present, though, at this point, only contributing some atmospheric elements to the song by way of some reverberated decorations. Hobbs’ vocal enters, slightly reminiscent of ‘90s Beck, as he narrates a prized memory of his youth: drifting off to sleep while his father played Pink Floyd and Wings from downstairs. The lyrics paint a vivid image of the way in which music can burrow into your heart, forever changing who you are.

As “Playing Your Records” moves forward, it begins to take up more sonic space, with the utilization of some additional ambient noise. And soon enough, Hobbs reaches deep into his bag of falsettos to deliver unto us the hook. The song is bound to resonate with many music lovers, as it contains a bit of everything, including some similarities to earlier Pink Floyd and George Harrison. But in addition to its sound, “Playing Your Records” carries with it some emotions that most people likely felt as they discovered what would become their favorite artists by way of their parents. It definitely resonated with us on multiple levels, which is exactly why you should hit that play button.

-TM