Proper Youth and the exuberant stomp and circumstance of "Local Gravity" (Official Video)

 

"Mirror has a face like mine / Just against the copyright / You've got to put your brain to bed / Thoughts are just too bright..."

The exuberant stomp and circumstance of "Local Gravity" by Ann Arbor / Brooklyn originated Proper Youth digs deep and complexly bending 80's indie rock / post punk influences into their own iteration. When I first heard the track several weeks ago, I started falling for it almost immediately and 30 seconds in I was completely smitten. Before even reading some of the band's liner notes and their love of 80's music I felt the blend of punk rawness with sophisticated new wave twists, seeds of baroque pop and bohemian folk shades too, all filtered through an exquisite swinging passion. 

In experiencing the unbridled runaway sound, the jangly bright guitar slides, anchoring bass / shuffling active drumming, vintage Farfisa-esque synth drones and, maybe especially, Amy Nesky's full throttle vocal attack and it was clear that singer-songwriters / musicians Adam Barito and Nesky with producer / drummer Bobb Barito have deep intentions on leaving their mark on current musical landscapes that are oftentimes so mind numbingly cookie cutter as to make your eyes roll in the back of you head.

"Local Gravity" is the exact opposite of cookie cutter, purely unique and has such a self aware expressively bold sound, again, with such a complex cross generational blend that I thought of an amalgam of artists like 10,000 Maniacs, Cowboy Junkies, R.E.M. and late 2000's The Babies (Kevin Morby and Cassie Ramone's potent Brooklyn based indie rock band) just to name a few. It seems to me that the thrust here is making music that inspires, that hits you squarely in your emotional gut while making you want to move, dance, mosh and run down late night streets with your friends.

While I am not fond of cut and pasty reviews, the following LINER NOTES are so important in understanding Proper Youth's upcoming sophomore album "Rusty Grand Am" that I am glad to share them (bracketed):

[The second album by dream pop trio Proper Youth draws the bulk of its inspiration from all three members' biggest shared passion: 80's music. It was a singular decade full of chorused guitars, analog synths, saxophone, and plenty of reverb that welcomed listeners to escape into an aural arena replete with romanticism and earnesty. The new record modernizes this approach, incorporating themes about aging, loneliness, and narcissism into a dreamy soundscape that sounds best when played loud.]

[Singers/songwriters Adam Barito and Amy Nesky and producer/drummer Bobb Barito went right back to work after releasing their debut album featuring the surprise hit, Off My Mind. Initially split between Ann Arbor and Brooklyn, they came together in Louisville for four months in 2020 to care for an ailing family member. It was in an apartment there that they channeled the anguish of that historic year into the groundwork of production. The intimate collaboration galvanized Amy and Adam to finally move to Brooklyn, where they spent two more years finishing the songs with Bobb in a Bedstuy studio.]

[Rusty Grand Am is named after a car Adam and Bobb's dad owned when they were growing up. It stuck around well after its expiration date, resilient against the unstoppable threat of decay. Revisiting the old piece of junk served as a vehicle for the thrilling and never-ending road toward the heart of nostalgia--one which Proper Youth never plans on exiting.] 

I love the poetry contained in "Local Gravity", all of the lyrics, either abstract or decidedly pointed, speak to me. Below is one of my favorite passages.

"Pierce me blue, edible eyes
Wrap me in your slanted smile
Distract me from my wandering mind
Lost it in the layers

Thunder & luster, compress & suffer

Libertine, libertine, libertine 

Pile it all on fast
File it all out now
Pile it all on fast
Before the gravity pulls you out

Pile it all on fast
File it all out now
Pile it all on fast

Before the gravity pulls you out"

I look so forward to taking "Rusty Grand Am" for a late night spin. Until then step into the amazing Official Video for "Local Gravity". 

-Robb Donker Curtius  

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3h1e8MBcZjWu1AcBDXOCzp

https://www.youtube.com/c/properyouth

https://www.instagram.com/proper.youth/

https://www.tiktok.com/@proper.youth

https://www.facebook.com/properyouthmusic/


The second album by dream pop trio Proper Youth draws the bulk of its inspiration from all three members' biggest shared passion: 80's music. It was a singular decade full of chorused guitars, analog synths, saxophone, and plenty of reverb that welcomed listeners to escape into an aural arena replete with romanticism and earnesty. The new record modernizes this approach, incorporating themes about aging, loneliness, and narcissism into a dreamy soundscape that sounds best when played loud.

Proper Youth, indie rock, new wave, dream pop, deeply poetic, singer-songwriters Adam Barito / Amy Nesky, producer / drummer Bobb Barito, sophomore album "Rusty Grand Am", "Local Gravity" (Official Video),