About four months ago, I posted a frigid, falsetto disco song called “James and the Cold Gun” by Philadelphia indie pop band Potpourri of Pearls. While it was a fun tune, however, it quickly faded to the background among the hundreds of songs I hear every single week.
But the group’s newest tune, “Diamond Harbor,” doesn’t seem likely to suffer that fate. ”Diamond Harbor” surfaced while I was on vacation in Yellowstone last week, and ever since I stumbled across it over the weekend while browsing my favorite music blogs, I’ve been unable to stop playing it. (Incidentally, if you really want to fall in love with the track, listen to it stoned… that’s what I did.)
At 6:45, this is no in-and-out pop song. ”Diamond Harbor” is a captivating musical sketch, a beautifully chilly work that feels more like art than dance music to me. It utilizes disco elements like “James and the Cold Gun,” but they don’t define the song. Rather, the strutting bassline, beatless breakdowns, and mirrorball outro serve as the setting, while the chorus binds it all together like a starring role should.
And wow, wow, wow… that chorus. It soars with barely constrained emotion, but is nevertheless fits with the songs frigidity. When I sing it, I feel like I’m about to break down and cry. Now that’s good music. I cannot wait to hear everything else that these guys record.
-Jordy Kasko
Potpourri of Pearls – “Diamond Harbor”
Loading ...
