Rec Hall - “Olive”

From California, USA, Rec Hall have just released the immersive indie psych pop track, “Olive.”

“Olive” is a strikingly engaging listen as the music pulses almost hypnotically, compelling you to nod your head or move your body if you’re not propping up the bar like me. The driving groove is cohesively built by the tight drums and anchoring bass that slickly weaves and pulses throughout the composition.

Taking a leaf out of acts like Tame Impala, Rec Hall use the other musical layers to heighten the sense of rich texture and shifting dynamics. Choppy, chiming electric guitar thinly adds a sense of syncopation to the funky groove, whilst arpeggiating synths cascade spaciously. After a brief dynamic break that is tastefully EQ’d to create a distant underwater effect, the band consolidate the earworms with a joyous guitar solo over the crescendo.

“Olive” has a strikingly distinct vocal performance which feels incredibly fresh. It, again, feels Kevin Parker-influenced but has none of the Lennon-esque nuances, instead sounding closer to Dave Munro from Air Traffic Controller. Laid back, flowing, and atmospherically reaching for falsetto ranges over certain areas, the delivery is 100% designed to compel you to sing along.

As it grooves through the melancholy, “Olive” explores “the downside of the chase of the oft-sought manic pixie dream girl when it’s not reciprocated.” Frontman and guitarist John Barry explains further: “‘Olive’ is about unrequited love and how keeping low expectations is sometimes for the best. Falling in love with someone who isn’t in a position to love you back is a devastating yet powerful feeling.”

Delightfully groove-driven and dreamily slick, “Olive” will make the perfect addition to any indie rock, pop, or psych lovers’ playlist.