For many artists, the decision to turn toward more creative freedom means meandering into formless freak-outs, ambient psychedelia, or some kind of synth pop experiment. Not so for Jacob Turnbloom, leader and principal songwriter of beloved SoCal fuzz pop purveyors Mrs Magician. Additional forays with The Grave Walks, Blessure Grave, First Wave Hello, and many other bands have provided Turnbloom with ample opportunity to refine a signature style of caustic yet sentimental garage pop prowess. But Turnbloom’s newest solo endeavors find him forging a different path, fully embracing melody and earnest, simple songs.
Today Glide is excited to premiere Turnbloom’s single “Ray’s Occult,” the second in Dangerbird’s Microdose singles series. Initially inspired by the name of a bookstore that appears in Ghostbusters, the song is a synth-drenched work of brooding indie pop. With heavy 80s post-punk vibes permeating throughout, the song is oddly catchy while also carrying a commanding power. Lyrically, Turnbloom uses the song to blast off against the “Metaverse” and other social media bullshit while maintaining a heavy beat and vocal cool that would brings to mind everyone from Interpol to Phil Collins.
Turnbloom describes the inspiration behind the song:
“I had the title in my head before the song was ever written, so it started off as a sort of strange tribute to Ghostbusters 2, and Bobby Brown’s single ‘On Our Own,’ which is one of my favorite New Jack Swing songs. The subject matter is a loose commentary on Silicon Valley garbage like The Metaverse. I’d rather play with a slinky or draw pictures of dinosaurs than live next door to my favorite celebrity in some stupid digital playground.”
LISTEN:
