Instrumental surf rock is one of the oldest and most venerated forms of popular music, rising to prominence in the mid-last-century as the original soundtrack to board-based feats of rebellious athleticism from brakers to blacktop. Surf rock’s enduring appeal continues to impress, inspiring subsequent generations to inject their own unique perspectives into a style that shifts and evolves like the rolling waves and never fails to offer perpetual thrills.
Hailing from Hamburg, Germany Poolhead couldn’t be farther from the sandy shores and exotic locales that typically inspire the surf rock sound, but that hasn’t stopped the trio from channeling their affinity for carefree beachside vibes into a burgeoning catalog of authentic surf-inspired singles.
Their latest, “The Siren’s Song,” is a laid-back, guitar forward tour-de-force that imbues the wild freedom of classic surf rock tradition with a psychedelic, world music perspective like Khruangbin enjoying a day off on Oahu’s North Shore. Shuffling percussion moves with the sideways energy of colorful crabs skittering across the sand as guitar licks slide with the easy effortlessness of condensation rolling down the sides of an ice cold cerveza plucked fresh from a shabby cooler, festooned with a menagerie of band stickers and gear brands. Vocal flourishes deep in the mix reference the epic grandeur of spaghetti western cinema, an unlikely but appropriate companion to the coastal composition.
A mid-track breakdown feels conjured directly from the subaqueous caverns of Poseidon’s most opulent auditoriums, alive and teeming with the technicolor vibrancy of tentacled invertebrates and schools of glittering fish, wavering beneath the cerulean surface. But this blissfully listless sensation doesn’t last long, as Poolside quickly kicks into high gear like a surfer seizing the perfect moment to mount a towering swell. “The Siren’s Song” explodes into a riotous surf rock ripper, shredding the gnar on a colossal crest of driving rhythms and glorious wah guitar shot through with pure adrenaline and a sense of unmitigated union with the natural elements before tumbling, triumphantly, into a rush of salty foam.
Stream “The Siren’s Song” on Spotify and follow Poolhead on Instagram.
Upcoming Shows
AUGUST 10 - Greifswalder D.I.Y. Poolbash - Berlin, Germany
AUGUST 15 - Kreisel Sternbrücke - Hamburg, Germany
AUGUST 17 - Punk Rock Sommermärchen - Landgang Brauerei - Hamburg, Germany