I Am a Rocketship – La Cruella
Atlanta’s indie pop darlings, I Am a Rocketship, have unleashed their sixth major release, the mesmerizing album “La Cruella,” a collection of ten tracks that push the boundaries of dream pop and indie rock. With a clear nod to the evocative sounds of the 1990s, this album weaves a tapestry of uncertainty, fear, and dreams, skillfully composed by the duo of multi-instrumentalist Eric Weissinger and the enchanting Swedish artist L E Kippner. “La Cruella” takes listeners on a captivating journey through sonic landscapes that defy conventional categorization. As the duo’s musical style evolves, the album offers a shift in focus, marked by longer, freer compositions that break away from the confines of traditional rock structures. L E Kippner aptly notes, “These may be the last songs we make that could be identified as ‘rock,’ as we’ve increasingly fallen in love with longer songs that don’t really follow any real blueprint.” Each track on the album is a story in itself, steeped in feelings rather than explicit narratives. The exploration of uncertainty, fear, and dreams permeates the lyrics, creating a space for listeners to find resonance and meaning within their own experiences. L E Kippner’s vocals infuse the songs with a dreamy pop flavor, reminiscent of 4AD’s ethereal soundscapes, adding an ethereal quality that shrouds the album in a beguiling aura. “La Cruella” pays homage to its influences while carving out a unique niche of its own. The album predominantly adheres to an indie rock formula, adorned with shimmering guitar melodies and captivating rhythms. However, the album is not afraid to venture into uncharted territories. For instance, the track “Bury it Now” takes a bold step into trip hop territory, crafting an ethereal atmosphere that collides with post-rock-inspired guitar work. This dynamic experimentation demonstrates the duo’s fearlessness in breaking molds and redefining their sonic boundaries. “Sold For a Pound,” a standout ballad, weaves a cinematic atmosphere with the inclusion of a heartfelt piano melody. The track showcases I Am a Rocketship’s ability to craft poignant and emotionally charged compositions that evoke a vivid imagery in the minds of listeners. Eric Weissinger’s statement encapsulates the essence of “La Cruella”: “We just let go on this album, and often said ‘well, this is going to kill any reputation we had.’ It’s very pure, for want of a better term. We just wrote what we felt.” This album is a musical odyssey that invites listeners to surrender to its waves of emotion and immerse themselves in a sonic journey unlike any other. With its dreamy textures, genre-defying compositions, and introspective lyricism, “La Cruella” stands as a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving nature of music and its ability to speak to the human experience.
I Am a Rocketship photo by Katja Bjorn
https://iamarocketship.bandcamp.com/
