If Mac DeMarco isn't soundtracking your summer then you need to listen up right now. The gap toothed Brooklynite by way of Montreal singer-songwriter has plenty in store for you. At a mere 23 years of age he's already gone from the prank filled, tongue in cheekiness of his debut, 2, towards a more introspective phase. DeMarco recorded Salad Days alone in his Bed-Stuy apartment after coming back from months out on the road. It was a time in which he nearly tripled his audience on the strength of his first two releases and his live show. The results of his month long recording session find DeMarco reflecting on his success as well as his inner conflicts at the time. He seems weary of his success and the trade offs that come along with it. Despite being recorded in Brooklyn during the month of October Salad Days sounds like you should be watching the sun set over the California coast while you listen to it. Jangly guitars meet ride cymbals in places while thick bass lines collide with DeMarco's mater of fact delivery in others. It's a pleasing combination that provides just the right backdrop for the singer's revealing word play. Gatefold cover includes inner sleeve with lyrics, double sided poster and free download.

• black vinyl pressing
• housed in gatefold sleeve w/ printed inner sleeve + double sided poster
• digital download included
• music label: Captured Tracks 2014

reviewed by Hank Ohs 07/2014