Small Circle "Spinning" and "Mornings" Track Review

Maybe you remember reading my review of Melatonin by Small Circle, the beautiful first ep from this Philadelphia 4-piece, and maybe you don't, but either way the band is releasing their debut full length, Cyclical, on Flower Girl Records on September 8 and we are lucky enough to already have two tracks to taste before the record drops.

"Spinning" is technical, stacked, ballad of a song about putting in non-reciprocated effort into a relationship but sticking it out anyways. Cam Boucher and Marissa D'elia share dual vocal duties and the contrast between the monotone style of Boucher and the beautiful tone of D'elia during the chorus line, "I'll be just fine," is really emotional. The instrumentation does a great job raising the atmosphere and creating this hopeful feel around this awful experience. This song alone makes me very excited for this record.

"Mornings" for one reason or another reminds me of the closing credit song from the HBO series, The Wire, and I love it. The song has a sad 60's vibe to it. It's filled with that feeling of staying up until early mornings, or pulling an all-nighter for no reason, alone in our room with the lights bright, a mess on the floor, creating something or waiting for nothing, unaware of the time or fully aware and not caring. It's somber and it's wanting and it's wonderful.

Cyclical comes out on September 8 on Flower Girl records. Preorder it now!

Small Circle hit the road with Remo Drive and McCafferty this September.

09/05 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
09/06 - Asbury Park, PA @ Asbury Park Brewery
09/07 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory
09/08 - Kingston, NY @ BSP
09/09 - Boston, MA @ Sonia's

Small Circle "Melatonin" Review

Small Circle kind of just appeared. Featuring members of Sorority Noise and Rozwell Kid plus newcomer Marissa D'Elia, the band just released this beautiful ep of emotional, subtly urgent songs with the chops of a band that's been together for years.

"We Belong Here," the ep's first track has this great distant sounding, twangy, Modest Mouse style guitar line throughout it. A song about love. Reminiscent of something I wrote about someone one time... That subtle urgency I mentioned reveals itself here. D'Elia sings, "It's so easy to write about you, there's just never enough words," and there's never enough time to do so. So listen to this again.

"Please Don't Touch The Moon," is wonderfully American Football inspired in the pretty guitar playing by Cameron Boucher, but the song has variety in it's approach to the middle of the song. It's darker and the darkness grows even as the song turns back inward to the softer playing. A nice fusion of sound is built up in the background and repetitive vocal melodies introduce this weird blend of claustrophobic open-ness. Like trapped in a glass box in a field.

The ep closes with "It's Just Not Realistic" that turns back to the Modest Mouse instrumentation of "We Belong Here." The dual vocals between D'Elia and Boucher blend so well and each have their own wonderful pieces they bring to the song. This song feels like it could explode at any minute. Like it's constantly teetering on the edge of somber reflection and an emotional breakdown. Vulnerable would be the word I would choose if I could only use one, both for this song and the ep as a whole. A very impressive first effort. I hope we get more, and what about a physical release? Tapes anyone?

Stream / download the ep on bandcamp.