Hailing from Los Angeles, alt-pop group Paper Jackets brings a fresh new sound, full of energy with their newest album, Souvenirs Volume One. The project touches on themes of nostalgia, addiction, and moments the band has experienced together. Looking to the past, the album weaves through memories, moments, and feelings that every listener can relate to. With melodies that make you want to dance and lyrics that truly resonate, the album lets listeners take their own “souvenir” in the messages the album sends.

Beginning with their lively opening track, “What They Call a Life,” the band muses on how “nothing really lasts forever,” and sets the theme of nostalgia for the rest of the album. Singing “Young enough to know that my heart’s strong, old enough to know that my love still carries on,” the song has elements of a pop hit while talking about being afraid of being forgotten and not feeling good enough. Despite these worries we all have, the song inspires hope and a light at the end of the tunnel.

Flowing perfectly from the first track, the next two on the list were personal favorites. Bringing up addiction in a different form—in the form of another person—both “Baby Teeth” and “Miss You” makes you want to throw your hands up and sing along – “My heart is heavy in the worst way, skinned my knees winning second place.” “Baby Teeth” talks about a seemly toxic relationship, with a “kiss like a chemical,” the energetic track draws listeners in from the very start.

“Miss You” is a true pop anthem and is especially relevant during this pandemic. With a catchy melody, they scream “I’ve been running circles, round the gates so open up. Tell me what I gotta do so I can win your heart.” Energetic and emotional, the lyrics are honest in touching on how modern relationships have two people missing each other but refusing to tell one another. A heartfelt proclamation of feelings and honesty, the song brings out the hopeless romantic in all of us.

Jumping forward, “Slow Motion” was almost cinematic in its nature. With lyrics like, “she’s always dancing like its 1984” and “like a sunset in slow motion,” the track brings a very visual and tangible image to view. With a nostalgic synth and a fresh beat, the song feels like the perfect summer night we all crave and dream of.

Closing off with “Tell Me Lies,” the final track of the album brings a sadder reflection of a relationship. “Crazy thoughts running through my mind, sleeping with the light on, waiting by the phone,” the song tells the story about not being ready to let go of a relationship and face the reality of the situation.

The carefully created album is more than just fun and heartfelt—everything from the song titles, lyrics, and album art all revolve around certain relics. Each object featured, from rose to a flamingo to a disco ball, correlates to a specific song – each relic telling its own story.

When discussing the album concept frontman, James Mason, explains how it represents “Things from your past, a scrapbook mentality. It’s very nostalgic.” For example, some tracks reminisce on the past like “The Way That You Were” and “Miss You”, while others like “Baby Teeth” revolve around a more literal relic. Other mementos, like the liquor and pills, tie back to the recurring theme of addiction.

While the process of creating the album was long and complex, the band is excited to put their work out into the world and looking forward to what comes next. “There’s a sense of urgency,” says Mason, about the album. “There’s this mentality of, we have to do this now, we have to make these songs now… There’s this artistic force that pushes me in that way.”

Paper Jackets was formed in 2016 as each of their members was rotating through Sunset Strip jam nights. What began as a few random sessions turned into a six-person group consisting of James Mason (vocals), Emily Dickinson (keyboard, live backing vocals), Jonny Vesely (guitar), Miles Franco (bass, live backing vocals), David Allen (drums) and most recently, Aimee Proal (vocals).

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE