SOTD #47 // Magic Man: 'Monster'

A bit of a 2-4-1 deal going on with today’s Song Of The Day. As well as “Monster” you’re getting the preceding album track “Swell Song” too, as separating them would be as harmful and downright inappropriate as trying to separate a pair of conjoined twins with a hacksaw (sorry).

I could have chosen literally any track from the Magic Man album Real Life Color to write about as frankly, the whole thing is the work of absolute genius. Released via the stunning Arcade Sound Ltd. (home to Millionyoung, Memory House, Bye Bye Blackbird and Coolrunnings), Real Life Color is the cherry on top of an already delicious cake of current releases from the boutique label, based in Knoxville TN. Like many new record labels that are popping up, Arcade Sound have released the shackles of their artists music and made it all available for free – whilst offering the hardcore fan the opportunity to buy the releases on limited edition vinyl or cassette. Dive head first into their roster of artists here.

So, back to the song(s) at hand. Preceding the swathing hulk of synthetic beats and Postal Service-esque melodies of “Monster” comes “Swell Song”. It does what its title suggests. Beginning with a faint crackle of noise – an orchestra of synths, background hiss and throbbing bass drum – it builds and swells open wide to form the backbone of “Monster”. Words can’t really describe the feeling of adrenalin that is injected into my blood stream once the track finally takes shape around the 2:25 mark. The distorted vocals drenched in a sense of hope; a call to arms “find your monsters, but don’t tell your friends” – it’s genuinely affecting stuff.

For those searching for near-perfect blissed out pop thrillz, with a healthy dose of lo-fi chic you need look no further than Magic Man.

Magic Man: “Swell Song”

Magic Man: “Monster”