LISTEN: Silver Liz’s “Dream More Vivid” Brings Refreshing Color To Noisy Pop

Silver Liz is an eclectic force in the Brooklyn scene. Founders Carrie and Matt Wagner met in a college music practice room, bonding over an eavesdropped conversation about The Strokes. The married couple moved to Chicago from central Pennsylvania in 2015, so Carrie could study at Second City Conservatory. The Windy City’s legendary indie backdrop encouraged Matt to aimlessly demo. 

Named after a painting at the Andy Warhol museum, Silver Liz officially cemented when offered the opportunity to open a packed show for still-ascending Kero Kero Bonito. A set’s worth of material was finished on a tight turnaround as they wrangled a rhythm section. On the LPs I Can Feel The Weight and It Is Lighter Than You Think, jangle pop, shoegaze, and dream pop were smudged in futuristic, baroque ways. The duo’s new album, III, is available for pre-order now. 

While we wait for the anticipated new album from Silver Liz, the duo decided that the beautifully chaotic “Dream More Vivid” would be our first preview of their third LP. The magically colorful and hypnotically immersive lead single blends the band’s expressive individuality with their veteran musicianship, creating a jovial, psychedelic tune. The arrangement explodes with a jagged, room-altering atmosphere, with melodies that never stop evolving, only for an ethereal vocal performance to come in and smooth out the electronic edges. There is almost nothing earthly about this performance, that is, until the lyrics begin to seep into your mind. The storytelling elements of “Dream More Vivid” are rooted in relatability, as it explores the pain and joy of outgrowing your hometown and the person you used to be. “Dream More Vivid” introduces Silver Liz as fearless manipulators of contemporary music, and with a third LP on the way, the duo seems to be nearing a breakthrough moment.