The young singer and guitarist Jackson Scott first popped up on our radar when he released his psych-pop debut Melbourne in 2013. It was a lo-fi wonder that included an unsettling but strangely sunny (and unforgettable) tribute to the children killed at Sandy Hook.
On Scott’s new single, “Pacify,” the Asheville, N.C., native seems to feel the weight of the world as he wavers between cynicism (“Everyone and everything is all a lie”) and the understanding that this mysterious human experience is much larger than any one person (“Put a bullet in my ego”).
But most of the lyrics in this cracked and gauzy gem are barely discernible, taking a backseat to the fantastically distorted production. Fans of the Elephant 6 school of sound or Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound, Deerhunter) will find a familiar and irresistible mix of crunchy guitar hooks, spaced out melodies and ramshackle rhythms. The song saunters and staggers along before closing with a woozy, infectious jam.
“Pacify” is from Sunshine Redux, Scott’s sophomore release. It’s due out April 28 on Bloodmoss Records.
Sunshine Redux Track Listing:
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