Summer Fragments

There was an eight-year wait for rock n’ roll’s Jason Narducy. Luckily, fans of the multi-talented producer did not have to wait nearly so long for his next funky, fresh new album, Fragmented World. Split Single is a mesmerizing new musical project that started as a one-man-show, but now has increased to working with Spoon’s Britt Daniel on bass and Jon Wurster on drums.

From the  first song, the innovative musician and guitar player manages to provide innovativation in a set of ten new phenomenal harmonies. “Waiting for the Sun” is the first single and although Narducy still interchanges in meticulously organized guitar lines, this time the guitars take the lead instead of deteriorating in the background. Numerous tonal patterns entwine with each other. Bright and clear, “Waiting for the Sun” appropriately entitles a promising development in the band’s musical style and an awakening introduction to what is to follow. Jason Narducy is clearly the man behind this whirlwind of punchy beats.

“Monolith” speeds up the bass lines to create a feeling similar to traveling through an upbeat day. “Last Goodbye” slows it down for a heartfelt song where Narducy expresses his higher, hazy range of vocals. It adds on to the wave-like sensation and slows it down into starry, night sky rhythms. This song keeps adding melodic rhythms resulting in a sensation of traveling through outer space, somewhat similar to DIIV and Coldplay’s serene sounds. “Fragmented World” bathes the listener in more blissful energy, expressing the confusion of a missing part of one’s life, partnered with several “ooh la la” choruses that drive you to sing along.

Like a 45-minute edgy romance story, it allots harmonious, beautifully melancholic and pop rock soundscapes, adequate music for both morning coffee and your late night drive back from work. The track “Love is You” promises a stunning combination of analog sounds and digital production, delivered with a cinematic sense of vitality that ties together flawlessly. The fusion of indie rock is designed to tug at your heartstrings and your dancing shoes, alongside retro transparent bass solos.

It’s the soundtrack to a sunbaked road trip. It’s hard not to picture yourself listening to “Never Look Back” and “My Eyes” on an oceanside, windows-down drive. It’s difficult not to fall in love with Split Single’s electrifying spacescapes and whirlwind of nostalgic and punchy beats, which can be considered as art for your troubled sleep. If you ever wanted a soundtrack of your childhood memories, “My Heart is Your Shadow” is the one. Listening to Fragmented World takes your mind on a Sunday stroll through tranquility, landing you back at your high school’s outdoor rock show. It is almost impossible to not want to finish the entire album in one sitting. The ongoing essence of thrill in every song speaks for itself so hit play and enjoy the sweet sensations washing over you.