We’re very excited to bring this one to you. Lightfields‘ debut full-length, Junior, blew us all away last year with its mixture of aggressive multiple-guitar alt-rock and pure pop catchiness. Now, the band is following in the footsteps of D’angelo and Kendrick Lamar by dropping a sudden surprise EP on an unaware Richmond scene. Said scene is sure to be delighted, and we definitely are, as we’re bringing you the exclusive streaming debut of Lightfields’ brand new EP, Melodies, right here at RVA Magazine!
We’re very excited to bring this one to you. Lightfields‘ debut full-length, Junior, blew us all away last year with its mixture of aggressive multiple-guitar alt-rock and pure pop catchiness. Now, the band is following in the footsteps of D’angelo and Kendrick Lamar by dropping a sudden surprise EP on an unaware Richmond scene. Said scene is sure to be delighted, and we definitely are, as we’re bringing you the exclusive streaming debut of Lightfields’ brand new EP, Melodies, right here at RVA Magazine!
For Lightfields, Melodies is a state of the union of sorts. “As much as we are looking forward to following up Junior with a proper full-length, we wanted to release something in the meantime to showcase how we’re sounding these days,” says the group, and these three songs do a good job of showing the full extent of what Lightfields is up to these days. Recorded during a two-day session at Scott’s Addition Sound by Allen Bergendahl–who seems to have a role in the majority of underground rock sounds coming out of this town these days, and certainly has the track record to explain exactly why that is–these songs demonstrate the breadth of Lightfields’ range while never pushing them beyond their limits.
Kicking off with the title track, this EP finds them using their stacked triple-guitar lineup to their advantage, layering acoustic strumming beneath a shimmering, almost shoegazey electric guitar riff for an almost Beatlesque feel–though to tell the truth, it reminds us more closely of House Of Love, or Ride in their less distorted moments. Backing vocals on this track are provided by Chrissie Griffith (Lady God/Hypercolor), which certainly enhances the, um, melodies at work here.
On the other two songs presented here, Lightfields take their sound in different directions, to equally charming effect. “Treats” is a slower song with a jazzy feel. However, it doesn’t quite reach the level of balladry, instead moving along with more of a slow burn that reaches its apex with a searing guitar solo in its final moments. “Doubts” wraps things up by picking up the pace once again, though still not reaching breakneck speed. Its chiming guitar leads pair nicely with singer Coldon Martin’s soaring vocals, and we find the band once again reaching an epic climax towards the end of the song, with vocals, rhythm section, and plentiful guitar tracks all working together to conclude things in memorable fashion.
But don’t take my word for it! Stream Melodies in its entirety below:
Melodies will be released in physical form in a limited edition of 50 copies, and will be available for purchase at upcoming Lightfields shows, including their performance at MACRoCk in Harrisonburg on April 3, and on April 9 at The Broadberry with Diarrhea Planet, Left And Right, and The Milkstains. However, fear not, those without cassette players–this EP will also be available for free download from Lightfields’ Bandcamp page starting on March 31; one week from today. Until then, get familar using the Soundcloud stream above, exclusively from your pals at RVA Mag!
