There was a time in Austin, TX that the name Roger Sellers was ubiquitous on the NPR radio station KUTX and for good reason. Austin has long celebrated its independent artists and Sellers epitomizes the do-it-yourself attitude, releasing his self-produced music and gaining a sizable following around town. Having released three albums under his own name, Roger Sellers began to release material under his stage moniker as Bayonne. As a solo electronic artist, Sellers is known to create intricate live loops at his live performances to create exciting one-man shows. After releasing two albums under the name Bayonne on Mom + Pop Records, Sellers is back with the dream pop-infused album Temporary Time.
“Must Be True” is the opening track and is the perfect song to open Temporary Time. The beautiful piano riff joined by layered vocals gives the impression of a flock of starlings flying in a murmuration to create beautiful patterns. This impression is further punctuated with the sounds of birds as the track ends. “Right Thing” is classic Bayonne, starting with minimalist “beep-boop” electronics before being joined with sampled drum and electronic loops. It is both pop-filled as well as experimental sounding. “Solo” is haunting with its subdued vocals and instrumentation until the minute-and-a-half mark when the beat hits and elevates the layered vocals. “Words” really brings the lush textures that Seller’s is known for in songs, starting with the sounds of a synth-guitar riffs while layers of soothing electronica begin to pile on. Before you know it, you are enveloped in sound as Seller’s chorus-effected vocals lull you into a state of bliss.
There is a lot to take in on the new Bayonne album, as each listen reveals new layers of sound that you didn’t hear on the first, second or even fifth listen. Drawing inspiration from the depression Seller’s found himself in after the recent passing of his father, he manages to create a rather uplifting sounding album. All in all, Temporary Time is a solid electronic pop album with a lot to offer the listener, especially on repeat listens.