“Summer Night Sounds” by Philadelphia band Stereo League was one of my favorite tracks of 2021. I dove into their back catalog after that discovery and found a band trying out different musical approaches.
As autumn 2022 arrives Stereo League have released the single “Seasons of Trouble.” It’s a perfect companion piece to “Summer Night Sounds”
Philadelphia band Stereo League has always been about discovering new genres and working with collaborators who can bring unique sensibilities to their music. On their latest 7” Operator, Please / Seasons of Trouble, the band, comprised of childhood friends Alex Savoth and Dan King, continued their fruitful partnership with the synth & soul record label and production crew Eraserhood Sound. Following the success of the group’s 2021 EP Endless Mirage, the band, again under the guidance of EHS, have created two more timeless, soulful songs, each with their own unique personality.
https://www.coleminerecords.com/collections/friendsofcolemine/products/stereo-league-operator-please-seasons-of-trouble-release-date-11-11-2022
“Seasons of Trouble” is a slow-building stunner, echoing soul from the 70’s. Taking its time to develop an atmosphere because in the end that’s the entire point. The slower it goes, the better it feels. The better it feels, the better the moment. The better the moment — the better the atmosphere.
The lyrics paint a portrait of a lover and loves lost. “Out on the corner of Broadway and lonely, wondering what went wrong. It’s a game, babe, that I’m losing, over and over now.”
Alex Savoth’s vocals are pure retro perfection. His tone begs us to take it back to the day while refusing to let us escape the here and now. In both “Summer Night Sounds” and “Seasons of Trouble” this is the key to the magic. Rolling out a beat that allows Savoth to do his time traveling and atmosphere building. All backed by layered instrumentation, vocals and mixing that lifts and transports.
2021 EP “Endless Mirage” further strengthened Stereo League’s connections to Philly soul and casual street synth pop.
There has been previous buzz about Stereo League, including from NPR (link.) It’s really just a matter of a large enough audience catching up — or rolling back— to the sounds they are spinning.
“Seasons of Trouble” and “Summer Night Sounds” are modern pop / soul masterworks. Not sure where they fit into radio play these days. Maybe it won’t matter. As they filter onto streaming sites around the globe perhaps the sweet artwork cover for “Seasons” will draw a few fans to click “play.”
When they do, Stereo League will be with them to stay.
LINK: https://stereoleague.com/
UNCLE EARS is a music blog written by David Falk. davidrfalk@gmail.com David was born in 1962 and gravitates towards melodies, adventure, unsigned artists, fresh discoveries. He trusts his ear to know what it likes and loves sharing what he finds. He lives near Seattle, WA, USA.
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