Weller | photo by Emily Dubin | photo courtesy of the artist
Listen to Weller’s self-titled debut ahead of their record release show
Philly basement scene faves Weller seem like they’re having a blast on their tour across the US with Kississippi, and while they’ve been on the road, they also released their first full-length — the self-titled LP is available now via Bandcamp. We’ve been jamming along to the first two singles, “Learning Curves” and “Point of Personal Privilege,” for the last few weeks, but the new release gives us a whole lot more Weller to enjoy. Weller, recorded produced by Jake Ewald of Modern Baseball fame, is the follow-up the band’s 2016 EP Career Fair; they also released a split with Rue last year.
The 10-track LP packs a ton of Weller’s expert use of catchy riffs atop emotionally contemplative lyrics into a small space — the album clocks in at just over 20 minutes, but listens like a treasure trove of instant favorites. Fast-paced opener “Answer Anything” starts the record off with at theme of change, as vocalist Harrison Nantz narrates moving into a new space, a wavering impermanence that underlies throughout the album.
Under the pop-like sheen of Weller’s melodies lies the persistent sense of doubt and uncertainty, of wanting to know what’s going on in someone else’s head — “What’s your game? What’s your angle?” Weller ask on “Learning Curves.” Alongside the self-doubt and the occasional dose of self-deprecation, Weller manage to weave in a twinge of hope that matches the lightness of their melodies, repeating “I can do that” on the increasingly upbeat “Buck,” and closing out the album on introspective and reassuring note with the line “Painting pictures in my brain / New calmness I can relate to / I am all in.”
Weller will celebrate the release of the new LP with a show at JJ’s Diner on Nov. 4. Three Man Cannon and AllegrA will also play; find more information on the show here. Listen to the record in full below to get ready to party at the release show.