Spacey Jane prove there’s still room for big, earnest indie anthems on latest single “Hardlight”
Originally published by Alt Citizen
There’s a very specific brand of indie rock that specializes in the kind of big-sky anthems that stretch across the various seasons of life with unflappable ease, inspiring 20-somethings and old-heads alike with the timeless combination of swelling chords and soaring hooks that encapsulate the emotional resonance of hopeful desire and wistful nostalgia in equal measure. In recent years this formula has been distilled to a potent elixir, peddled with the shrewd acknowledgement that deep down the human condition is more universal than we all may like to admit, the restlessness of youth gives way to the contentment of age as one generation after another walks familiar paths towards eternity. Brewed correctly, the effect is sweet and intoxicating as exemplified by the works of Big Star, R.E.M., and more recently bands such as Spoon, The War On Drugs, and Wilco.
Spacey Jane follow in the path of their affectionally labeled “dad-rock” forebearers as the Aussie four-piece trek towards the anticipated release of their sophomore LP, Here Comes Everybody (which, ironically, was the original working title of Wilco’s seminal Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). The band’s latest single, “Hardlight,” swings for the fences with emotive exuberance borne on a chiming tone lifted directly from the pages of the indie guitar handbook, lightly reinterpreted with measured amounts of feedback to remain fresh for a discerning modern audience. Caleb Harper delivers the track’s vocals with an excess of earnest vulnerability, polished to a brilliant shine with the eternal resilience of youth and young manhood, even while hinting at the quiet saudade that is left behind by the ever-thirsty vampyre of time and memory.
Director Nick McKinlay’s visual treatment for “Hardlight” embraces the vintage immediacy of a close, 4:3 screen ratio and the golden warmth of an analog sunset to reinforce the track’s timeless aesthetic. Retro titles reference the quaint tangibility of Wes Anderson and fluid camerawork captures the band performing within the liminal confines of a ferryboat idly gliding past shorelines populated by crumbling industry, gleaming towers, and lush vegetation. A visual metaphor a life left unexperienced, a passive passenger on predetermined route that rebels against the lyrical restlessness at the confrontational heart of “Hardlight.”
Spacey Jane have all the makings of future dad-rock champions, but for now are comfortable leading the next wave of bright eyed indie darlings.
Here Comes Everybody releases June 24th. Stream “Hardlight” on Spotify and follow Spacey Jane on Instagram.
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Mon, OCT 10 - Mod Club Theatre - Toronto, Canada
Wed, OCT 12 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
Thu, OCT 13 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
Fri, OCT 14 - Brighton Music Hall - Allston, MA
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