Lester | photo by Georgia Smith | courtesy of the artist
Philly indie band Lester return with a new set of atmospheric jams
Last July, Philly D.I.Y outfit Lester, released their debut EP swamp. Now they’re back with it’s follow-up, the seven-track We Could Have Been Anywhere. The band continues to experiment with caustic guitar, reverb-drenched vocals, steady drums, and moody lyrics. We Could Have Been Anywhere opens with “supply/contact,” a brief instrumental track soaked in distortion and effects. “Untld” bounces between abrasive guitar playing and Juli McCue’s subdued vocals. At points the two seem to blend together, as if they were coming from the same source.
The closing track, “polly,” feels like one long exhale, as if it is signaling the release of the drama created by the soft-loud contrasts in previous tracks. It is hard not to get lost in “folds” and “spoiler.” These tracks a perfect examples of Lester’s ability to create soundscapes that build and unravel, twirling listeners around and forcing them to focus solely on the music.
We Could Have Been Anywhere shows the band diving deeper into the fuzzy sonic palate that Lester established for themselves on swamp. Thunderous guitars are present throughout while McCue’s vocals are sung and mixed in a way that pulls listeners in close. The EP is more of a collection of atmospheres than a straight-forward collection of songs. With this expansion of their already addictive sound, Lester are well on their way to becoming a Philly Indie staple.
Check out We Could Have Been Anywhere below.