Western Haunts is a Seattle-based indie band that has been making waves in the local music scene since the release of their self-titled album in 2014. Their latest single, "The Bottle," is the lead single from their forthcoming album of the same name, and it's the first new music they've released since their 2017 full-length album, Problem Pop.
"The Bottle" draws its sound from a fusion of 70s folk, 80s post-punk, and 90s shoegaze, all of which were prominent in the band's previous work. However, with the addition of lead vocalist Jake Witt's fluttering falsetto and epic drumming that's reminiscent of modern experimental pop artists like Perfume Genius, the band's sound has evolved and taken on a new life.
The song's cryptic lyrics and slightly gothic tone give it a menacing nuance that's highlighted by the dreamy arrangements, featuring a throbbing bassline that was a rarity for the band in the past. The single's release is accompanied by an eerie music video that depicts two young girls getting ready for school with a surreal twist, featuring hazmat suits, medical-grade face masks, and a shadowy encounter with a strange figure in a giant bunny costume.
The band has a KEXP-approved dream-pop sound that's a call to Midwestern revival, drenched in reverb and the haze of psychedelia and shoegaze. Their music is like stepping into a hazy, disorienting dream, characterized by layers of synths, reverb-heavy guitar, and Jake Witt's soaring tenor.
For their newest album, The Bottle, the band chose to partner with LA-based producer and musician Erik Blood (Shabazz Palaces, Tacocat, Moondoggies), who co-produced the album and added new depth and dimensions to their sound, invoking 80s Goth and 90s Post-Punk influences and bringing it all into a modern pop context. The album's sound was emerging on their previous work, but with the help of Blood, they've fleshed these ideas out into something even more exciting.
Western Haunts' music can be heard across the nation on CMJ radio stations and programming on MTV and FUELTV. As a live act, they've been touring and playing bills with artists like Lost In The Trees (ANTI), TEEN (Carpark Records), Said The Whale, Lost Lander, The Lonely Wild, Sam Roberts Band, Sallie Ford, Jessica Lea Mayfield (Nonesuch Records), and The Moondoggies (Hardly Art). They've been a featured in-studio performer on KEXP and have played premier music festivals like Seattle's Bumbershoot, Capitol Hill Block Party, The Denver Times Underground Music Showcase, and curated shows by Seattle's The Stranger arts weekly.
In conclusion, Western Haunts' new single, "The Bottle," is a fantastic preview of what's to come on their forthcoming album. With their evolving sound and partnership with producer Erik Blood, they have the potential to reach a wider audience and become a household name in the indie music scene.
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