The Peace Of Wild Things

Sound DNA

• Alt/Indie
• Indie Rock

• layered
• anthemic
• art school

About

Paper Route’s 2012 sophomore long-player sounds light-years ahead of its 2009 debut, <i>Absence</i>. Aside from a tour between albums, this could be attributed to the fact that before recording <i>The Peace of Wild Things</i>, the Nashville trio moved into the same dwelling: an old plantation house dubbed “Joy Mansion.” It was there that J.T. Daly, Chad Howat, and Gavin McDonald honed their craft to such perfection that the opening synth-pop anthem, “Love Letters,” plays with the assured confidence and refined musicianship of a third or fourth studio album. Without former band member Andy Smith, who provided Prince-inspired falsettos, Daly ramps up his range as heard in the chorus of “Better Life,” a romantic tune with retro synthesizers and a heaving refrain that could accompany an '80s Brat Pack movie. “You and I” is a salient single that similarly invokes memories of Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark and INXS’ contribution to the <i>Pretty in Pink</i> soundtrack, but the winsome “You and I” perfectly balances bygone influences with originality.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits