Fuzzy pop trio brings a little warmth, sunshine in debut full-length
ahem’s debut with Forged Artifacts ‘Try Again’ released on November 1.
Minneapolis pop rock group ahem is known for fuzzy guitars, candied harmonies and infectious tracks. The band’s debut full–length “Try Again”, released November 1 through Forged Artifacts, composed of warm, fuzzy tracks fans are destined to love.
Despite the albums fuzzy, warm sounds and sweet harmonies, many of the lyrics betray a gloomier, more uncertain feeling.
ahem hinted at this in their Spotify bio before the album’s release: “…that (childlike) wonder seems to be bruised a little. For the first time, the doubts of adulthood have begun to creep in like blood vessels around the edge of a shiner. “
‘Sideways’
The album’s opening track, “Sideways” begins with a single guitar riff reminiscent of Rick Springfield’s hit “Jessie’s Girl”. The riff is soon joined by the drums before melting into fuzzy guitar after the first verse, returning to jangly guitar towards the end of the track.
‘Halloween’
Coming out a day after the holiday for which it is named, “Halloween” is two parts young adult anthem and one part love song.
At the beginning of the track, Halloween imagery is used to talk about feelings of confusion and aimlessness. “all hallowed out/ spill to fill it up/ everything we carve away/ don’t know what I’m trying to say.”
The end of the track, however, reads more like a spooky love song as the lyrics cry, “away my love/ let’s haunt the dark/ go ahead/ it’s all that really matters.”
‘Remote Control’
With one of those addictive starts where the instrumentals slowly build, “Remote Control” begins with a lone voice. A simple guitar riff joins soon after. The full band doesn’t show itself until after the first verse, a satisfying slow burn.
The imagery of the magic eight ball on the album cover is echoed in the track’s lyrics as it sings, “and I don’t think I can take anymore/ we always feel like the space between the keys/ like the l m n o p/ like we took the eight and shook it up some more.”
‘Sunspots’
A departure from ahem’s usual sound, this soft, bright acoustic tune ends the album. It’s much more of a indie folk tune than the usual fuzzy pop tracks the band is known for.
A beautiful track about departures can be interpreted in many different ways. Given the lyrics and the title, however, I think of it as a farewell track from an elderly loved one.
The lyrics coo: “yeah I’m gonna let go/ on the brightest little day I have ever known/ roll it up and go home/ let it all loose, my heart flow.” The lyrics later end with the heartfelt line “everyone I love is here.”