They have already five albums long discography, they debuted almost 20 years ago, and now they release an album that proves their position within the genre's landscape - Los Angeles-based Film School sound great adding a bit of the Californian dream pop Sun to this rainy autumn.
I was on board with this release already when I heard the single "Drushin'" this summer, which has everything I expect from an airy hit: atmosphere, seducing vocal and brilliant chorus. Lead by Greg Berten band shows how it is done in California - light melodies, nostalgic lyrics and unmistakable atmosphere combining the surf-rock catchiness with shoegaze melancholy. Apart from the single, it is clearly visible also in "Bye Bye Bird", while some tracks are dominated by dirty distorted guitar sounds in the backgrounds, as in the beautiful "Two in Sun".
What's interesting, when "Bright to Death" is half-way through, the more post-punk side of the band speaks up and in "The Celebration" breaks the melancholic mood. Another well-fitting thing would be the cover art, as if Film School's music had colour, it would be this apricot yellow of the Sun from the West Coast.
"Bright to Death" costs 9 USD.
