Listen: Forager - "Pomeranian"

photo by Isabelle Zhao

As distrustful as I am of any algorithm trying to serve me new music, every now and again the right song snippet manages to slip through my defenses and sends me on a quest for more. Such is the way I discovered self-described kaleidoscopic pop trio Forager. A video detailing how they use changing time signatures to give one of their new singles "Pomeranian" a sense of slowing down had me instantly intrigued and the little bit of the hook I heard had me quickly looking up if the song was even out yet. Thankfully for me it was and the subsequent four or so minutes not only had me hooked immediately but had pressing repeat countless times. 

What struck me the most about Forager and "Pomeranian" specifically, aside from, obvious the math rock breakdowns and shifting time signatures, was both a sense of freshness and familiarity. As I listened to "Pomeranian" for maybe the third or forth time I was reminded of Romantic Images era Molly Burch and the bank's jazzy funk inflected grooves reminded me of fellow New York based band Crumb. And yet, Forager are more than just a band that reminds you of other things you already like. They manage to distill a variety of different musical influences into songs that while incredibly intricate also maintain a sense of simplicity and ease. Part of that lies in their songwriting and the richness of Shyamala Ramakrishna's vocals. There's no denying a retro pop feel as Ramakrishna sings "You've got the right touch of vintage, a layer of grit". "Pomeranian" is a playful psychedelic infused pop romp simultaneously calling bullshit on taste curation/branding and poking fun at one's own attempts to do. "Ask me how I got it, from eBay in Japan, I hate consumerism, leave the boxes for the doorman" Ramakrishna sings before following up with a lyric about living off the land. Couple that with the band leaving in all the production moment of them starting up and practically unraveling during one of their shifting time signature moments and you have a song that doesn't take itself too seriously while balancing astute, poignant lyricism. It's effortlessly catchy and is sure to stay with you long after you've hit play.  

 

"Pomeranian" is the first single from Forager's forthcoming sophomore album Even a Child Can Cover the Sun with a Finger, out February 27th of next year.