One of our favorite albums in 2021 was Still Life by L.A. band Massage. That jangling, dream-gazing, guitar-dense album remains a favorite and we still play it regularly. However, we need to make some room in our soundtrack because we have a new Massage gem demanding out ears. The new 10-track Coaster builds on the delights of its predecessor, retaining the instant classic pop melodies, multi-voiced vocals and lovely layers of guitars. To that foundation, in our opinion, Massage has added a wider sound palette. While still delivering their perfectly crafted blends of guitar pop and shoegaze -- check out the exquisite "We're Existential" below -- the band offers echoes of Creation Records on "Fading Out" and folk rock that will prompt fans of The Go--Betweens smile on "Hang On to that Feeling". "Psychic" starts out as a clap-along guitar pop and finishes as a slice of countryfied southern rock on "Psychic". Every song here is a star and that adds up to a top 10 2025 album for us.
Massage are Alex Naidus (vocals/guitar), Andrew Romano (vocals/guitar), Gabrielle Ferrer (vocal/keys), David Rager (bass), and Natalie de Almeida (drums). Coaster is out now via Bobo Integral Records and Mt.St.Mtn. Records.
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