Family Average: 5/7

Look below and see what the family had to say.

How many times can I say “Asbury, you’ve done it again!” When will the talent that is busting at the seams of this shore town get the spotlight it deserves? Here we have Lowlight, a band that is seamlessly blending the sounds of indie country and synthy pop. Their latest release Endless Bummer is never-ending, but not in a bummer way at all I’d argue. It bops up and down and dips into a psychedelic sea. 

While the initial songs did their job it was “Burkhalter” in particular that got my attention. It travels closer to the indie side than some of the others, so maybe that’s why, and its energy is infectious. The beat like that of your heart walking to the third bar of the night. The one you should be too tired to get to, but you’re not. And ooh wee that country twanginess about 3:30 in, how could I not love it? “Clotheslines” and “Coastlines” are nice follow-ups. We get a powerful send-off with “Voyager” as well. Thank you, Lowlight for existing and for coming out of one of my favorite towns.  

6/7

I suppose it is fitting that I am writing this at the bitter end of an otherwise fantastic summer. Endless Bummer is the third album from Asbury Park rock and rollers Lowlight. Throughout the ten tracks, the band provides an updated look at Americana rock music. Lowlight’s performance on this album is charmingly organic and intimate. At certain points, it held the energy of a live performance while still maintaining the polish of a studio album. A swell time with a swell rock band with a touch of country. 

4/7 

Lots of different styles and sounds with this group. I didn’t look at what genre this was before and it was a bit hard to pinpoint at first until I looked up what Americana really means and those western sounding guitars started to make a lot of sense to me. This would definitely be Americana, although there are some other sounds like the keyboard and synthesizers if I’m correct. The intro to the track “Burkhalter” is another change in style as it starts with the absolute most loveliest sounds, go listen to it. Then there are those drawling, lackadaisical, vocals with a rasp to them at times; the type that moms typically like. 

“California Blue” is an ode to California with lyrics reminiscent of “This Land is Your Land.” As Americana as Jack Kerouac hitchhiking across the country on a diet consisting of apple pie. 

The concluding track, “Voyager” stays true to the genre with such an American sound, the piano with the military type drums and then those harmonized vocals drawling like a southern lullaby. 

4/7

Americana and country can be a hard one for me sometimes, but something about Lowlight’s blend of folk with their breathy sort of textures, make it feel very nice. They feel like a jam band but maintain a solid cohesion, smoothness, and softness. 

Each song floats nicely, has a sort of levity, and seems like it would make for a great groove live. It’s different to the sounds of hear coming out of Asbury lately, especially as it seems to be tinged with a more nostalgic sound. All in all, a goodie.

5/7