double vanity
DREAM-POP ANTHEM INSPIRES WARMLY TONED OUTFIT
Editor’s note: In “Off the Record,” Oklahoma native and Northwest Florida Daily News reporter Savannah Evanoff pairs one of the records from her collection with an outfit and writes about the results. “My hope is that you will use my outfits as inspiration for your own wardrobe and learn some rad music along the way,” she writes at her blog, savan nahoff therecord.com.
Almost nothing on this BRONCHO record indicates its title — “Double Vanity,” in case you were wondering.
It’s not listed on the vinyl, cover or insert. The Oklahoma indie pop-rock band probably doesn’t dig labels, because it crosses three to five subgenres — which frankly isn’t so unusual these days, and I’m not against it.
BRONCHO is composed of Ryan Lindsey, Benjamin King, Nathan Price and Penny Pitchlynn.
I’ve been hooked on ’em since
I heard the dream-pop anthem “Fantasy Boys.” The rhythmic pace and soft vocals make you want to use the hashtag mood.
The music is so chill, it’s natural to overlook the lyrics. The band mesmerizes listeners with basic vocabulary and a rhyming outline as structured as a haikou.
“Senora Borealis” is the sixth song to play, but the first to fracture the album’s pace. Suddenly the sound morphs into a (The) Black Keys-esque style with flair and breathy vocals.
Now, there’s depth.
“Double Vanity” builds on itself, gathering more and more of the cool factor with every punchy verse and extra-enunciated syllable. I feel most harmonious with the record during the crisp rhymes of the B-side opening track, “New Karma.”
Cut it long in the collar Cut it high on the hip Got that pleat in it baby Just a military fit — “New Karma”
Some of my favorite lyrics belong to “Two Step.” Analyze at your own discretion. I wanna lose myself when you walk in The door
I wanna use myself like I’m 6’4 — “Two Step”
The lyrics are for those who can see the value in the repeated cooing of a verse. I can. “Double Vanity” is low-key in all the right ways.
I’m obsessed with the album cover. The physical manifestation of the music is this desert-like landscape of warm-toned geometric prisms.
When I spotted this art while crate digging at Guestroom Records in Oklahoma City, it was a no-brainer. The record is a must-have for any Indie music lover.
I can only assume fate was responsible for how perfectly my Romeo & Juliet Couture shag coat blended with this record’s color scheme. Placing the triangular album art in line of sight with Anna & Ava’s funky disco-ball-resembling, circular-shaped earrings is an unplanned, but stellar contrast.
My ensemble translates as whimsically as the record. The outfit for this shoot also includes sunglasses from Guestroom Records; jeans from Mossimo Denim, Target; purse from Michael Kors and boots from Steve Madden.
I think there are many interpretations of the album’s title that could involve an emphasis on pride or the idea of welcoming a new person into your life through the metaphor of a double vanity with two sinks and two mirrors.
I should mention “Double Vanity” is written in itsybitsy print on the sleeve’s border.
Then again, I never read the fine print.
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