Classic garage rock project Victims of the New Math is the musical moniker of singer-songwriter Thomas Young, fueled by his love of 60s garage rock and 90s lofi. The brand new album, Open Highway, features nine infectious songs that lyrically tackle themes of love, frustration, fear, and beauty.
“It’s heavily influenced by Guided By Voices aesthetic,” says Thomas of the songs on the release. “And while staying true to my lo-fi recording roots, the sound really pops thanks to some great mastering from Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices producer & engineer)!“
Right out of the gate, “Orange and Purple Skies” brings energy and a big indie rock sound to start off the album. No long intros, just straight-ahead into the meat and bones of the song – and it’s a great choice, because this one’s a toe tapper. Next, “Apology Implied” slows things down a bit, with its minimalist vocal and instrumentation. The pared down style works well for this song, letting the melody shine. The album’s namesake, “Open Highway,” feels like a personal one – it evokes a hopeful vibe, like that feeling when your luck is finally taking a turn. For listeners looking for a singalong style, look no further than “In The Morning”. Upbeat and lively with a classic rock sound and a well-timed guitar solo, this one is an earworm.
The strong contender for my personal favourite from the album is “What We Already Have”. There’s an incredibly catchy chorus to this one, and the guitar riffs and smart arrangements really make this a stand out song. The Open Highway album ends with a simple, indie-tinged classic rock sound with “The Golden Age”. Its nostalgic feel, and wistful lyrics are the perfect way to end an album.
Overall, Open Highway stays true to its lo-fi, vintage musical aesthetic. There’s nothing over-produced or too slick here, just the refreshingly pared down vocals and guitar riffs that shine. It’s a laid back sound perfect for music fans who yearn for the simple, classic sounds of years gone by.
Stream Open Highway by Victims of the New Math on your preferred platform:
Spotify / Soundcloud / Apple Music
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