Sloan Simpson has been recording for over two decades. Until now, none of the music has been his own. This changed with the release of his debut album, System Update (May 13th, 2022, Science Project Records), under the name Sloan Brothers. The Athens, Georgia-based musician played rock and jazz guitar growing up but was frustrated by the hit his talents took when a serious car accident sidelined him. Simpson sold all of his guitars and quit the instrument.
With music still in his blood, if not in his grasp, Simpson began documenting the local scene in his new hometown of Atlanta through live taping. After years of driving between the two as part of his recording endeavors, he eventually relocated to nearby Athens. His new hobby had become a good habit. Now, Simpson returns to his Sloan Brothers moniker with the release of Split, an EP featuring two songs from Simpson and another two from Jay Gonzalez.
In a honed display of their veteran status, Simpson’s “Off The Record” is a relaxed example of the artist’s nuanced fusion approach. The busy arrangement and hazy vocal layering evoke the warmth of lo-fi, while the breezy and infectious melodies highlight the artist’s pop sensibilities. The highlight from Simpson’s latest effort finds the artist striking a balance between their nuanced artistry and commercial sensibilities, giving “Off The Record” its awkward digestibility. While the melodies are smooth, the lyrics tell the story of much rougher territory. Simpson explores the heartbreak of being a second choice but not having the heart to separate yourself from the situation. The relatable yet poetic songwriting adds a layer of humility to the subtle psychedelia that runs through “Off The Record.” The new single from Simpson’s Sloan Brothers is whirling, moving indie rock infused with reflective lyrics and colorful musicianship.
“‘Off The Record’ is about anyone who has felt they were a placeholder in a relationship while their partner waited for someone ‘better’ to come along,” explains Simpson. “I love to juxtapose bummer lyrics with catchy, joyous-sounding musical settings. I’ve always been a fan of songs that give you sugar to take your medicine with.”
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The busy arrangement and hazy vocal layering evoke the warmth of lo-fi, while the breezy and infectious melodies highlight the artist’s pop Backrooms Game sensibilities.
It’s a good one!