An invention of Americana and hypnagogia

Alejandro Rose-Garcia (aka Shakey Graves) September 15 release Movie Of The Week is coming off the musical direction of his last LP Can’t Wake Up. Here Graves takes his Americana sound and adds a new lens to mix. This time it’s through the hazy, low-fidelity production of neo-psychedelia and noise, while being conducted in a folk-rock setting.

Originally conceived as a soundtrack for a movie, those plans were scrapped when the music did not mesh with the director’s vision for the film and the tracks went unused. Now Graves went back and took those ideas from the scrapped soundtrack and reinvented them for his most sonically ambitious album to date. Adding a hypnagogic pop sound to his Americana palette adds a new layer to his composition, while keeping the core of his songwriting intact. The album itself is an intersection of music, television and adverts rolled into one. These include snippets from old television adverts, narration from classic films and 8-bit video game sound effects that contrast with the traditional sounds one hears in Americana.

Fortunately, those snippets of nostalgic media do not distract from the music itself. One of the strongest tracks on the album “Century City” samples snippets of the promotional film for the titular namesake. Mixing in sounds of acoustic guitar, funk bass and synths along with Graves’ tenor vocals give the song a distinctive feel that combines vintage aesthetics and modern sound production.

The first single “Ready or Not” features Graves in duet with fellow Americana artist Sierra Ferrell, that gives a charming, whimsical arrangement about the uncertainties of life and the emotional experiences one can bear witness to in these lives. This song is more reminiscent of Graves’ previous work, only now the production and songwriting are benefited greatly from a new mature approach that transcends its origins.

The second single “Evergreen” features a twinge of electric guitar distorted through tape hiss and studio FX. Contrast with the clear synths and vapor like vocals, “Evergreen” gives the presence of a lush, multicolor environment, that fits the lyrical themes of escapism and traveling in a dream-like state.

The last two tracks “Heartstarter” and “Heartstopper” explores more experimental territory. “Heartstarter” starts with an interlude of 8-bit video game sound effects before transitioning to an ambient section with small trills of piano, played sparsely before transitioning to the closing track.

“Heartstopper” then segues to an acoustic guitar that starts off clear and crisp, before being placed through a low fidelity filter that dampens the sound of the guitar. As the sound of the guitar gets quieter, the same piano trill from the previous track is played as the song closes. Detailing the grinding tribulations of life, the lyrics paint a bleak picture as the final line syncs with the muted sound of the piano and the song comes to a subdued but abrupt stop.

Movie Of The Week is Graves most creative work yet, as his gamble with reinvention of the scrapped soundtrack paid off. The songs sound polished and inventive without coming off as derivate or cliched. The lyrics are poignant and thought provoking, conjuring a reflection of the past, while providing the clarity needed to access modern tribulations. This hypnagogic folk direction is the perfect accompaniment for undertaking a life’s search for meaning and purpose in a hazy world.