A storm of sound swirls around in indie rock gales as Ex Pilots soar by on their newest single, Spirits Up. The two song single contains title track “Spirits Up” plus “Four Castles.” These Pittsburgh noise pop/indie rockers are guns of Oakland, CA label Smoking Room – releasing the track yesterday on August 8th, 2024.
Spirits Up
First it’s drums, then it’s the guitars and bass in a winding blast of instrumentation. This stampede of sound takes the track down the runway. Once they’re up there, airy vocals introduce us to a new world of indie rock. Those powerfully punching drums and rockslide riffs return as the whirlwind tears at its seams. Vintage flairs of radio voice alterations take over the track and add yet another layer of charm. It feels magical all the places they go in the track’s 3:10 runtime. For moments, I’m hearing Alex G’s “Gretel” and in others it’s Hotline TNT’s “Protocol,” yet it’s clear throughout that this is something entirely its own.
Four Castles
“Four Castles” warbles around in psych rock sounds while transporting us through the clouds. As we dive in, thunder rumbles through the track but we keep flying high. Pink Floyd guitar tones scream as the drums come back around and we hear a final call with the closing words, “If I don’t stop now, I never will.”
