Abandon City returns after 5 years with a fresh approach to making the same deeply personal and vulnerable music they are known for. "Dismissive" combines Eric's signature dense guitar playing and personal vocals, with a range of nostalgic sounds to create a novel approach to alternative rock and shoegaze. Commonly writing songs as related pairs, these songs tackle emotions around reparenting and the struggle of staying present in your body.
"Leaving Home" opens the release with a chunky, chorused guitar progression before exploding into a catchy vocal hook and driving drum machine. Drawing heavily from early influences like Third Eye Blind, this track is a driving 90's Alternative Rock track that doesn't outstay it's welcome.
"Give It Away" represents the largest departure from Abandon City's established down-tuned shoegaze sound, bringing in elements of new wave and post-punk as well as Eric's most prominent vocal performance to-date. Drawing on influences like New Order, this song also features Abandon City's first use of synthesizer.
Written, Produced, and Performed by Eric Leavell
Additional Guitar on "Leaving Home" by Andres Mungarrieta
Photography by Paige McLaughlin
Special thanks to Azlan Holliday for helping me find sounds.