12 Decembers - 12 Decembers (2017) EN

It's universally acknowledged fact that California is a land of good alternative music. But such a good debut doesn't happen everyday, even there. Outstanding shoegazers from 12 Decembers released their first album this winter (obviously on 12th of December) and got me on the hype train instantly.

On one hand, the layer of sound textures intoxicates. On the other, the way two vocals fit into the overall mood. On the third one, the melodies played by the Californians, that are not invasive but catchy - especially the chorus in one of the best songs here - "Melancholia". The band prefers to describe themselves as indie rock and yes, not every song here sounds shoegazish, in some of them there's more of pop-rockish devotion to delicate catchiness ("Yours Night, Thursday Night", "Lovelorn") - but in all of the songs, the unique atmosphere of the album is preserved.

Another thing is the song "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl" - I already know it's going to be one of my favourite tracks this winter. Looped and dispersed vocals shape disturbingly familiar teenage experiences while music and melody create a mesmerizing nostalgia trap that is really hard to escape from.

"12 Decembers" costs 4 USD.

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