Words by: Jason Russo

Recently, electro-pop artist Speelburg dropped his debut LP Porsche to a wide range of praise from fans and critics alike. The opening lines of the record flirtatiously invite the listener into a retro pop world all its own – “In Paris I woke up, the three of us in love/What more can I say? Don’t want to give too much away.”  This playful tone is carried throughout the album, aided by background 80’s synths, bombastic brass notes and electric guitar riffs that encourage listeners to dance through each track – filled with more energy than the last.

Speelburg’s sound brings on a familiar feeling with a twist – while comparisons to Beck, Vampire Weekend, and Weyes Blood are well-earned, Speelburg manages to blend all of his sounds in a way that is totally unique. Through his quirky music videos and beachy cover art, he has successfully built a bright aesthetic to call his own. His lyrics are deeply contemplative, focusing on the relatable highs and lows of his life – like the want for love or money. Yet, he never lets these thoughts consume or distract from the songs themselves.

“Lay It Right” is the clear breakout single from Porsche. Lined with a funk infused melody, “Lay It Right” becomes an easy listen that’s perfect for your morning walk, afternoon laundry, or late-night dance party.  It’s no wonder Spotify chose Speelburg as the cover of their Alt. Pop Playlist that included both “Lay It Right” and “Crash & Burn”.

Besides those chart-topping hits, Porsche is filled with stand-out tracks like “World Is Falling Apart – this version”. Contrasting an earlier single titled “World Is Falling Apart – that version” that was more sparsely produced, the album version has a fuller and richer sound that invites us to dance to the anxieties that come with living in this new decade rather than let them overpower us. It’s an inventive, tropical track that gives Porsche a great edge.

One of the most fun tracks off the album is undoubtedly, “Gwyneth (Get Up)” – which, of course, was written about none other than Gwyneth Paltrow. In an effort to get the legendary actress’ attention,  Speelburg launched a campaign by posting daily videos and memes to his social media. The video for the song is basically a quirky, 80s-inspired workout that matches the song’s energy perfectly and is a great watch.

While the overall tempo of the record lives in a ‘free spirit’ state of mind, much of the inspiration for Porsche came from the death of Speelburg’s mother. Being such a personal project for him, Speelburg sampled moments from his childhood home videos and scattered them throughout like precious Easter eggs. When asked about his reaction to the release, Speelburg commented, “I can’t believe it’s out!  I’ve stared at this PORSCHE [MASTERS] folder on my desktop, watching it gather digital dust, at times thinking ‘maybe I shouldn’t put it out, maybe I should just throw the computer over the balcony Zoolander-style.’ I’m so glad I didn’t. It took me 2.5 years to write my debut album and make it the album I would have wanted it to be had I not made it. I’ve crammed every pore with memories of my family and friends, this record is as much for them as it is for me. If I never make another album, I’m damn glad this is the one I got to make. It’s loud, it’s colorful, it’s a celebration of all the music and people I love so I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.”

While the last warm and sunny fragments of summer have almost been forgotten, Speelburg’s debut album is a refreshing relapse back into bright, summer vibes. This 11-track LP has it all – catchy and fun hooks, serious yet emotional musings, and totally awesome saxophone solos. Porsche is both beachy and fun while maintaining substance and depth with a cohesiveness to its overall sound and design.  Speelburg ends the album with the alluring phrase, “But I still ‘gotta lot to say,”  – and with that, we’ll be holding our breath for the next chapter Speelburg has to offer up.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER