The Crowleys return with the swaggering psych-pop of new single “Simple Reflection”

Opening with a '80s synth line, this unexpected intro gives way to the soaring guitar work and misty vocals we typically associate with The Crowleys. This combination of bold new sounds and well-trodden ideas encapsulates perfectly what the Ontario band are all about right now, as they find a way to bring the traditional psychedelic stylings of their earlier releases into an updated sound.

Lyrically delving into the topic of nostalgia (the very nature of nostalgia is itself reflected in the music of the track), “Simple Reflection” examines how events that can spark the longing of a time since passed can come from the most surprising of places. “‘Simple Reflection’ observes a collection of fond memories amid the chaos,” explains drummer and lyricist Stuart Downie, as he addresses the theme. “It explores the human ability to juxtapose nostalgia with the reality of a culture in crisis.”

Understanding nostalgia as a pang of sudden and very intense emotion felt in the everyday, The Crowleys’ subtle inclusion of their own past is itself a mirror of the idea they’re seeking to express. Co-producer and guitarist Cohen Wylie explains that “during production, the song went through many stages. Early on, ‘Simple Reflection’ felt more reserved but months of studio work pushed the song into an energetic explosion of melody and experimentation.”