Every so often a very special album comes along. That is the best possible way to describe ‘Blush’, the debut album from Californian trio, Night School. After their well-received 2014 EP, ‘Heart Beat’, which is both raw and sweet in equal measure, and a split with their Graveface Records label mates, Dott, anticipation for a full length from Night School has been steadily building. Somewhat unsurprisingly, it has been well worth the wait.
In a recent interview with the band, primary vocalist Alexandra Morte told us how Night School have a love for weird, dark and adorable things. They combine a spooky aesthetic in their artwork and videos with a cute, almost Disney-like innocence in their music. The songs are saccharine tales of relationships and romance, both from a personal and observational view, tugging at heart strings one moment and filling you with love direct from cupids arrow the next.
The production of ‘Blush’, handled once again by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Joyce Manor) at Atomic Garden Studios, is far clearer than that of their previous releases while maintaining a “golden-oldies” sound. The lush reverb that drenches both the vocals and guitars give the album its own character and match recording quality of the doo-wop era that Night School draw influence from. It makes the fuzzy, garage rock of ‘Last Disaster’ and the shuffling beats of ‘Casanova’, which sees drummer Baylie Arin take the vocal lead, sound warm and wholesome.
The old-time feel is most apparent on gorgeous tracks like ‘City Kiss’ and ‘Airplanes’. Perfect three-part vocal harmonies from Morte, Arin and bassist Cheyenne Avant call to mind 60’s girl groups The Shangri-La’s and The Shirelles, while they channel The Beach Boys laid back, surf-pop melodies. In amongst the shimmering tone of ‘Blush’ there are flecks of grit. The effective, simplistic three-quarter time signature of ‘Hypnotized’, and the up-tempo, over-driven riff that cruises through ‘Lost’ hark back to Weezer’s classic second album, ‘Pinkerton’.
From the thoroughly infectious hooks and the very unique character it possess, ‘Blush’ is virtually flawless. It is a charming album that is brimming with personality and it is the best way to introduce Night School to the world.
GLEN BUSHELL