Jason Quever, better known as Papercuts, has been releasing psychedelic dream-pop since 2004. Having recently moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area, Quever began writing songs for what would become Past Life Regressions. The songs on this album contain much of the same self-reflective lyrics as past albums like, 2018’s Parallel Universe Blues, with the addition of the frustrations of living through the current pandemic and political upheavals. Though Quever’s musical styling hasn’t changed much over the years, the timeless combination of late-60s psychedelic pop and 2000’s dream-pop is the sound that fans have come to love about Papercuts.
The first singe from the album, “I Want My Jacket Back,” brings to mind bands like The Byrds and early material from The Who cut together with shiny pop harmonies reminiscent of Spiritualized. The lo-fi sound of “Fade Out” recall the sounds of The Kinks and The Velvet Underground while still managing to sound modern. “My Sympathies” falls neatly into the genre of dream-pop and it’s not surprising as Quever has worked with Beach House in the past, even toured with them as their drummer. “Palm Sunday” brings a bit of New Wave to the forefront and sounds like what we might hear from a collaborative effort of Quever, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Deerhunter.
All in all, Quever does a great job of marrying all of his influences together to create his own sound that is both timeless and new. Fans of Papercuts will undoubtedly enjoy Past Life Regressions and those new to Papercuts have much to look forward to by giving it a listen. Though Quever doesn’t try to change his sound much compared to his past works, there really doesn’t seem to be any reason for him to. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
