Analog – Old Joy

South Florida headquartered four piece Analog is a mainstay on the local music scene and their first studio release since 2014’s EP Extended Pleasure, the full length Portable People, is set to drop in May of this year. The first single from the album, “Old Joy”, comes along with a first rate music video demonstrating their aptitude for merging their songwriting with an intelligent use of imagery and color. First formed in 2012, their musical influences spring from a variety of sources; classic alternative rock, pop, punk, psychedelic, and even blues sounds are present in Analog’s musical DNA and makes it well nigh impossible, thank god, to affix a single label to what they offer. Led by front man and guitarist Albae Camino, Analog emerges from this recording as a tight and confident band intent on providing listeners with a memorable musical experience.

 

The lean rhythm focused guitar work and uptempo pace opening the song definitely casts “Old Joy” in the mold of the best 90’s alternative rock, but Analog keeps things clean and well defined instead of embracing dissonance as an affectation. The rhythm section of drummer Tekilla and bassist Juan Manuel Gonzalez hold down the bottom end with tasteful yet muscular playing – there are no added frills weighing down their performance with useless self indulgence. Things become a little more rough and tumble as the song goes on – the guitars take on more bite and particularly excel during the song’s rousing chorus. Lead guitarist Esteban Gomez takes a turn showing off his lead guitar skills, but there’s nothing self-serving about those contributions to “Old Joy”. Instead, there’s a near orchestral focus in those touches that sounds determined to integrate itself into the song’s larger scheme rather than standing out from it.

 

OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtnnsDx90r8

 

Camino’s vocals are melodic and assertive without ever sounding strident. Like Gomez’s lead guitar touches, Camino comes across as a singer who isn’t intent on standing apart from the song but, rather, meshing his talents into the musical fabric. There are some moments when backing vocals join Camino and an obvious minimum of post-production affectation weighing down the singing. Camino doesn’t possess a powerful voice on this track, but he is more than capable of carrying the band’s music and brings a level of melancholy and emotion to the song that will be, perhaps, unexpected to some.

 

The video adopts a cut-up style of sorts combining military imagery at the beginning with an assortment of other visual touches throughout that do not dovetail into the lyrical content but, nonetheless, provide a feast for the eyes. It is a nice addition to the single release and show the band bring far more imagination to the table than their already imaginative approach to songwriting reveals. Analog’s sophomore release Portable People promises to be a formidable release based on the quality of “Old Joy” and a possible turning point in the band’s fortunes that exposes their musical talent to a national audience. They are deserving and will capitalize on any opportunity this single presents.

 

Mindy McCall