Inspired by a cold winter dip in the creek on New Year’s Eve, Plunge sees accomplished American indie producer/musician Sam Evian bring together a broad range of collaborators, including Liam Kazar, Sean Mullins, El Kempner and Adrianne Lenker.
After lending his production skills to numerous projects, including those of Kempner’s band Palehound and Lenker’s Big Thief, Evian took on a slightly different approach for his fourth solo effort. “I spend so much time trying to make perfect recordings for everyone else, so it was a slight act of rebellion to make something wild and kind of fucked up for myself” he says. “No-one knew the songs or what the plan was. We kept it loose and fun. This was the spirit of the sessions. No headphones, no playback, minimal overdubs, or bleed. Fast and loose.” The result is a wonderfully down to earth trip back in time, utilising a sincere and stripped back style of production.
Opening with lead single ‘Wild Days’, we are treated to a repeated rhythmic riff encased in bouncing bass guitar and perked up percussion, peppered with uplifting improvised solos. Evian has been open about taking inspiration from The Beatles, and nowhere is this more evident than on ‘Jacket’. Best described as fairground folk rock, the song blends raw riffs with soulful backing vocals to create a thrilling throwback track.
‘Why Does It Take So Long’ benefits from a grungy guitar solo from Adrianne Lenker. Then we reach ‘Freaks’, which is one hell of a left turn, stepping into the unknown with spacey, distorted vocals and extraterrestrial electronic sounds. But somehow, it not only works, but might even be a highlight.
It’s interesting to note that much of the lyrical content on Plunge was inspired by Evian’s parents’ relationship, rather than a personal one. Drifting apart after many years together, they later found themselves reconnecting and affirming their love for one another. “These songs bounce back and forth between perspectives – my mom’s, my dad’s and mine. I was exploring the idea of the difference between coming and going, the idea of leaving so you can come back. Not to be Hallmark Card about it but, in a phrase, the theme of this album is ‘wherever you go, there you are.’” Evian says. The track ‘Wind Blows’ succinctly puts forward this tale of temporary relationship turmoil: “So long for now/Hello to all the ghosts/None of us know which way the wind blows”.
‘Runaway’ starts off simple, before voracious vocals burst out onto the scene, blending with bizarre interpolated samples as smoothly as butter. Clocking in at under three minutes, upbeat track ‘Another Way’ keeps things short and sweet, yet still manages to squeeze in some gorgeous twangy guitar work courtesy of El Kempner.
Second single ‘Rollin’ In’ is the epitome of a chilled out tune, opening with the soothing sound of ocean waves. Hushed vocals meld with etherial electric organ, before the song sounds out with a serene sax solo. Written for Evian’s father, heartfelt finale ‘Stay’ again harks back to the old school, as pedal steel hovers in and amongst acoustic guitar.
Recorded live to vintage tape, Plunge proves you don’t need layers and layers of edits and overdubs to make an impact. All you need is a well versed songwriter and producer, and by fulfilling both of those criteria, plus adding the flourish of some other fine musicians, Sam Evian has put together some of his best work to date.
Plunge is out 22nd of March on Flying Cloud Recordings via Thirty Tigers.
