If you’re looking for tracks for a pre-emptive summer playlist, the latest release from San Francisco-based group WATERS, ‘Stupid Games’, is what you need. It follows in the vein of the other 3 songs they’ve released in the run-up to their new album: upbeat pop-rock with full-on hooks and sing-along group vocals.
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The song has a synth opening reminiscent of Walk The Moon or Wolf Gang, but moves towards a more guitar-based sound as it goes along; Van Pierszalowski’s almost-screaming vocals parallel fellow Californians Grouplove. WATERS are yet another example of a very particular West Coast synth-pop sound – shouty and fond of hammering choruses, managing to sound happy even if the lyrics are sad.
They’re not the most innovative, but WATERS are still making enjoyable music, and it’s clear that they’re having fun doing what they’re doing – which is rarer than you’d hope.
You can listen to WATERS on Soundcloud and their album What’s Real is out on April 7th.
Word by Priya Bryant