Van Chamberlain - "87"

Brooklyn’s Van Chamberlain dropped their debut album, In The Sun, just in time for prime jangle season. While I can definitely appreciate a nice, jangly sounding Telecaster no matter the time of year, those types of springy guitar tones are particularly ear wormy right around the time that the sun melts away the last remnants of the winter’s snowfall. There’s just something about the warm weather, blossoming flowers, and sleeveless tee shirts that pairs well with solid psychedelic pop. And In The Sun is just that. The songs on this new outfit’s debut effort are dripping with plenty of psychedelic reverb (not the overbearing, fuzzy kind) and gooey harmonies, and feature the kind of hazy, nostalgic sounding vocal melodies that are reminiscent of Real Estate’s early work. 

Smack in the middle of the record is “87,” which is without question, one of the album’s standout tracks.  It’s a song brimming with many great classic psych elements, but with a bit of the duo’s own flavor. The combination of a strong, Byrdsian guitar jangle, plush arrangements, and rounded bass lines shines brightly. The lyrical focus is nostalgic, which best suits the sonic mood, but perhaps my favorite moment is when Van Chamberlain lets their guitars do the talking. The song’s final minute and a half ascends into a twin-guitar magic zone that’ll absolutely lull you into a buzzy spring stupor. 

Stream “87” below!

You can purchase In The Sun on limited edition vinyl via Bandcamp. The album is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with Van Chamberlain by following them on Instagram. 

Van Chamberlain is performing on Thursday night at TV Eye with Atlas Engine, Joyce, and Percocet. Get your tickets now!