TV Party's "Imaginary Girlfriend" is a bouncy, melancholy rock n roll fantasy
SoCal garage rockers TV Party are gearing up for the release of their sophomore LP, Psychic Driving, that's looking to build upon the melodic moxie of their suntanned retro SoHo-meets-LES self-titled debut with a steady barrage of singles showcasing the band's undeniably magnetic chemistry.
Preceded by the rollicking grit and gasoline of "Motorcycle Libido (She Loves The Beatles)," the band's latest single "Imaginary Girlfriend" takes a different approach, bouncing on a thick analog synth groove layered with chiming guitar lines and percussion that skitters about behind the scenes with nervous energy. The overall composition is relatively simple, essentially a series of individual building blocks neatly stacked into a track that marries the simplicity of oldies rock n roll radio with an icy-cool new wave attitude into a low-key garage rock fuzz-fest that fits with the comfortable familiarity of a favorite pair of Levi's.
At surface level, "Imaginary Girlfriend" may not immediately capture undivided attention, but the steady rhythmic buildup and and consciously droll vocal delivery punctuated with doo-wop flourishes and spartan harmonies will get even the most cynical listener bopping along in short order. It's a tale as old as time; a bored young man imagines the ideal companion and retreats within his own mind when reality fails to meet unattainably lofty expectations. The follies and fancies of youthful melancholy have long been the provenance of rock n roll and this is where "Imaginary Girlfriend" succeeds, underscoring that truth that no matter how fit and fashions change, the lonely boys underneath remain largely the same.
Psychic Driving will be available in early 2023 on Outro Records. Stream TV Party on Spotify and follow the band on Instagram.