‘Specials’ feels like a record coming from another era. Championing a sound that directly draws from surf-rock and power-pop, the EP is delivered with a distinct 60s flavour, putting the attention on jangling guitars, elegant drums and meaningful, nostalgic lyricism. Perhaps not for everybody, ‘Specials’ will be highly welcomed by others, able to delve into a slice of culture they thought was long lost – or reserved for dusty LPs on back shelves.
The record is penned by Breaktime, American quartet with a strong retro aesthetic. From soothing vocal harmonies – echoing the likes of The Beatles – to slow-paced, dance-ready ballads, everything is pretty much period-corrected, a quality you don’t see much around nowadays. Hailing from New Jersey, Breaktime also honours the local tradition of ‘Diners’, a phenomenon particularly strong in the 60s.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the record, head honcho Sean Manuel explains: “Like a daily specials menu, BreakTime’s Specials is our seasonal assortment of the surf rock, power pop, and merseybeat that define the BreakTime sound. Immerse yourself in an EP thoroughly seasoned with vocal harmony in a jangle reduction!”.
Recommended! Discover ‘Specials’ on Spotify:
