An Alluring and Sonically Beautiful Album from Pearl Poet
The long-awaited full album release from Pearl Poet has arrived, and as someone who's not only a fan of the project but has also been listening to their music for quite some time, I can honestly say that this is a massive step in the right direction as this record boasts some of the most eclectic but glimmering and addictive set of colorful and robust soundscapes that has come from the band as of yet.
This is saying a lot because in the past, we've heard some pretty amazing releases and each release seems to Showcase a little bit of a different side of how they write the songs, their influences, and how they bring those attributes together to create something a bit unique and slightly outside of the box.
Well, Paradise Milk is absolutely no exception. As a matter of fact, this is a testament to where they're at with their sound and to their freeing and experimental approaches to shaping sound in general.
The record starts off with the first single that they dropped before the album came around, which is called "Frequency Gorgeous", and it's a title that makes perfect sense because the song itself is absolutely gorgeous.
When I talk about shimmering tones and sparkling brightness that come at you from all angles, this is the kind of track that I mean, so this is an absolutely perfect song to introduce the record with because, although this is an album that should be heard in full because they are surprises around its corners, this is a song that displays some of the staples that you will hear throughout the records of course.
The guitar work sets the standard for the album, and it's a pretty high standard at that. You have amazing harmonies, advanced technique, and plenty of heart that all come oozing out of every note.
The track that follows is called "The Lost Future", which has an amazingly sort of dripping synth that trickles down throughout the song, giving it this extra layer and its underbelly. I love these kinds of attributes, and you hear them throughout the record as well. These experimental tones, textures, and sounds that come from almost out of nowhere add to the aesthetic of how the record feels adventurous or fantastical.
Then we have tracks like "My Escape", which delves into more of the synth-driven electronic aspects of the record.
Now, don't get me wrong, there's plenty of electronic music flowing throughout the veins of this album. It bases its core energy on all of that stuff, but this track exemplifies where the project started in my opinion.
It goes back to its roots, and those are derived from outstanding electronic songwriting and sounds that create these thick atmospheres that you can just float along with.
Throughout these songs, you have some great vocal styles that come about, which give the record a sort of indie pop feel, and although this record would and certainly could be considered an indie pop record, it brings in so many other subgenres, if you will.
The album is a blend of dream, indie, alternative, and bedroom pop, along with rock, progressive approaches, and so much more. There's no one genre to place your finger on when it comes to this album, and I think I really love that.
This is a record that should be heard in full from beginning to end. This is an escape, or as I mentioned earlier, an adventure of sorts.
It does indeed feel fantastical, and there are a lot of attributes to this that make it feel like it's a concept record.
Songs connect in different ways, and when you listen to the whole thing, it does take you on that journey, so this is an album you put on headphones for. You listen to this record all the way through in one shot, and you get an experience.
This sonically beautiful album has wonderful ways of wrapping itself around you and swimming around in the air. It invites you to dig further into the record with each track, and for me, it was very alluring.
By the time you get to the 4th or 5th track, you begin to expect the unexpected a bit. You know what you're about to hear is going to be fun, a little refreshing, and it's going to have that certain sparkle to it, but you don't exactly know what it might be.
It's a record that keeps you on your toes, which I admire.
In the end, we wanted to talk with the guys from Pearl Poet so that we could find out more.
This is exactly what happened.
TSWS: Hey and welcome back again! Let's get into the Paradise Milk album! This record really combines a slew of approaches and influences with diverse soundscapes and genre-bending approaches! Where did this record come from?
Kyle: We made an EP together in 2022 called “Dream Lizards”, but then unfortunately Jeremy broke his neck in a freak accident. So all throughout 2023 we were just writing, recording, and releasing singles to keep the project going. When Jeremy recovered we felt like it was time to make a debut full length album so we made plans for him to fly down to Saint Augustine from Boulder in March of 2024. When we get together the magic just starts happening so we instantly made five songs in just a few days. Well, five instrumentals but some of them had lyrics and titles. A month later Jeremy moved to Florida to live with me temporarily and we wrote/tracked/co-produced the record over the course of summer 2024. Jeremy moved back to Boulder in the fall of that same year and we pretty much wrapped up the album by the time the holidays were over.
TSWS: This felt like a pretty big release! How long did it take you to put together and finalize?
Kyle: It took exactly one year.
Jeremy: The album took a little over a year to record and get it out.
TSWS: Did you record a lot of this at your home setup?
Kyle: Yes, we tracked 85-90% of this record at my house in Saint Augustine Beach, FL.
Jeremy: 100% recorded in our two home studio set ups.
TSWS: The guitar work on this album is so good! Do you guys usually write the songs together? Or is it one of you that comes up with most of it?
Kyle: Thank you. I think so too. Jeremy is definitely a virtuoso guitarist. He’s up there with Pete Townsend, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc. As for the songs, we pretty much write them down the middle and go halfsies similar to Lennon/Mccartney, or try to, but I guess you could say that I typically come up with the majority of our lyrical concepts and song titles right now. I’m a bit of a poetry nerd. We usually start with a keyboard progression, vocal melody, and temporary drum machine beat from me and then Jeremy programs the final percussion, adds all guitar/bass guitar parts, and sings back up or lead. We assemble the track by making the final arrangement decisions together, and whatever is best for the song in progress, that’s what ends up on the record. It doesn’t matter whose idea it was. The best idea goes.
Jeremy: Most tracks start with a synth sound that is almost like a loose puzzle piece that we build a picture around piece by piece. It’s not always in the same order, but drums typically come next, then bass/guitar and finally vocals and arrangement. More of a hip hop approach than typical songwriter approach
TSWS: Do you guys mix or master your own stuff as well?
Kyle: Not anymore. Whoever is engineering our tracking sessions might do some preliminary work, but we are currently working with Mike Pritchard in Atlanta. He mixed, mastered, and co-produced this album with us.
Jeremy: We send out stuff to Mike [ ] for mix and master.
TSWS: Are you performing right now in support of this album release?
Kyle: Not yet but we plan on touring Europe, likely Germany and the Netherlands, in support of the debut album sometime this fall/winter.
TSWS: Now that this is out, what is next for you as a band?
Kyle: We have a music video coming out soon in support of the album. It’s for our current single called “Frequency Gorgeous”. It’s the first track on the record. We have a possible European tour on the itinerary. In addition, we have already started recording our sophomore album. It’s a psychedelic pop/rock opera or song cycle in the vein of The Who’s “Tommy” or “Quadrophenia”. I guess it’s also a bit like The Beach Boys “SMiLE” record.
Jeremy: We are working on writing and recording the Sophomore album right now.
TSWS: What is your absolute favorite part of doing all of this?
Kyle: The use of imagination. I believe imagination is spiritual perception. I derive most of my joy from the conception of a song, or album, and the initial instrumental tracking, vocal tracking, and production in my home studio. The songwriting and production are what I’m interested in. Creating great songs is what it’s all about! That said, I do like to tour and play live. It’s a whole other animal. A different vibe and high.
Jeremy: I love recording and producing. In this project it is always interesting to take elements and ideas Kyle brings to the table and bring some of the flavors that inspire me in order to create something that is very different than anything either of us would make in our own.
TSWS: As a project that has released some amazing stuff and evolved along the way, is there any advice you'd give to other artists or bands out there?
Kyle: Get tough. Work harder. Never give up. And start making beautiful art filled with love because the world needs it now more than ever.
Jeremy: Just keep swimming…do they have any advice for me?
TSWS: Are you working on anything new right now?
Kyle: Yes, our second full length album. It’s a highly interactive concept record that comes with a comic book which I’m also writing. Look for a lead single later this summer!
Jeremy: We are working on our next album right now. Developing the songs and ideas that will inspire them.
TSWS: What would you say people can expect from this record?
Kyle: A variety of colorful psych-pop ear candy. To me it sounds like a group in search of a sound. A bright and shiny sound with a hint at an edge to come.
Jeremy: People can expect a collection of songs that explore a spectrum of emotional qualities, yet all tied together with a tropical vibe and spiritual connection. Although mostly upbeat, we touch on a wide variety of musical beats and styles; all while developing a distinct and cohesive sound that is hard to classify by past standards.
TSWS: Thanks again and this was an excellent album!
Kyle: Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
