Ariel Pink has always had an ear for a juicy hook, but due to his preferred method of home recording they've often been buried by the crackle and pop of the tape, a sound we've all become accustomed to after the recent glut of lo-fi/chillwave/whatever. But just as all these other bands break, Ariel has released an out-and-out pop gem, Round and Round, all silky melodies and relaxed backing, recorded in a more conventional manner that leaves it sounding like a great lost '80s soft rock classic. This stylistic change coincides with the band's signing to 4AD, quite possibly my favourite indie label of all time, well for the moment at least. I'd intended at some point to do a proper piece, maybe with some actual research and stuff, on 4AD, but then i couldn't be bothered, so this Ariel Pink track serves as a nice reminder that I should probably do that at some point, and that anyone reading this who hasn't before, should go and check out anything on 4AD (start with Cocteau Twins, can't go far wrong with them and they're a perfect example of the original sound the label pioneered and promoted).
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti have just finished a US tour and are supposed to be heading off on a European jaunt at some point, along with releasing their 4AD debut full-length, Before Today, on June 8th.
Myspace and official website here.
Download Round and Round here
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