Stoner Control head for the hills on new single

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 - 09:54

submitted by

Thomas

Stoner Control announced their upcoming LP and unveiled the first track. The band grew out of a temporary side-project to become a powerhouse trio that has been making music since 2013. Taking inspiration from the rich sonic history of the Pacific Northwest, Stoner Control fuses a high-energy pop-punk sound with the unfiltered, lo-fi aesthetic of Portland's thriving underground indie rock scene. Lead singer and guitarist Charley Williams infuses his lyrics with an honesty that is both playful and raw, creating driving melodies that echo the Thermals, Built to Spill, Superchunk, and Death Cab for Cutie.

Stoner Control has now returned with their sophomore album, Alone in the City (out Aug 31 on Blade Records). Alone in the City marks an evolution from the raw and unfiltered sound of the band's self titled debut, a heavy and fast-paced tribute to the golden age of alternative rock. While still keeping their original DIY aesthetic, Alone in the City features a cleaner and brighter sound featuring the jangly guitars and melodic pop of classic 60s rock 'n roll, echoing the Byrds, Big Star, and the early Who and Rolling Stones. Lyrically, the album represents a shift from the highly personal towards towards a more open ended approach to story telling, without abandoning Stoner Control's trademark playful melancholy. The album was once again produced by Hutch Harris of the Thermals who joined them at engineer Victor Nash's Portland studio, Destination: Universe. Recording at a larger studio allowed the band to experiment with nuanced instrumentation and create a more polished, hi-fi sound. With the addition of bassist Sam Greenspan, who contributed two up-tempo rockers to the new album, and the continued presence of secret weapon Michael Cathcart on drums, Stoner Control continues to expand their scope while staying true to their Pacific Northwest indie rock roots.