Grand Commander is what happens when a career bassist goes off on his own to create DIY lo-fi indie pop, and his new single “Unreal” shows off what a rhythmic side-man can do in the driver’s seat. There’s a consistent quickened thump to this song that changes feel with subtle rhythmic nuance until the full drop out of the chorus flows easily and believably. Sam Damask’s voice is understated and effortlessly breathy, reminiscent of late Leo Kotke recordings. His delivery is deadpan, but the melodic playfulness cuts the tension and creates a light hearted feeling overall.
“Lyrically, Unreal explores the moment when one accepts the reality that a relationship won’t last. I was experiencing this while writing the song. Funny enough the moment hadn’t happened yet when I started writing the song, and the lyrics were playful about arguing while being in a relationship. After the moment happened, the lyrics changed to reflect the new reality. The feeling of hopeful love fading away is intense, as is the knowledge that ending a relationship will cause someone else a lot of heartbreak. The shift in tone at the end represents looking back at the ruins of what was once a promising future with a kind of heavy detachment.”
