Exclusive Album Premiere: ‘Summer Camp,’ Summer Camp

ABOVE: SUMMER CAMP

Two years ago, Summer Camp told us about their nostalgia-inducing debut album, Welcome to Condale. Now the London indie-pop duo of Elizabeth Sankey and Jeremy Warmsley is at it again with a more sophisticated and inviting sound. For their sophomore effort, the pair presents a self-titled album oozing catchy, upbeat tracks often laced with incomparably darker lyrics—think bundles of agitation building up and subtly exploding within the listener’s ears. Rather than singing about the memories of a fictional band that once was (as they did on their first LP), Sankey and Warmsley directly confront listeners throughout Summer Camp. “There’s no filter between us and the lyrics,” they say. “We’re putting ourselves on the line.”

Leaving behind the lo-fi feel of Welcome to Condale, the artists worked with Producer Stephan Street (who has also worked with notable bands like The Smiths and Blur) to mix sample loops and live drumming into smoother tracks. “The End” introduces the 45-minute album and harmoniously sets the stage for transitions into deeper complexities. Midway through, “Two Chords”—the longest song the band has ever written—provides a turning point with six minutes dedicated to the little things that make facing a distant, uncaring world, dealing with deep insecurities, and chasing dreams worth an unyielding perseverance.

“We wanted to make an album that sounded delicious, but was full of deep turmoil,” Sankey and Warmsley tell us. And this they certainly did. Until you can download Summer Camp on October 15, listen to the pre-stream and decide what you will, but we second the band’s intentions. We think it’s melodically delicious.

SUMMER CAMP IS OUT NEXT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE BAND’S WEBSITE.