Brooklyn-based project Graham Price Gift Shop delivers a vibrant mix of harmoniously timeless pop, immersive folk, and throwback rock on their new album Love is Whys, weaving lush vocals and jangling guitars into an inviting, melodic aesthetic. Beneath its bright surface, the album reflects on love as both a deeply human motivator and a force that can be distorted or exploited, offering thoughtful commentary alongside its warm, enduring hooks.
Featuring Alexx Becker, “Cherish Love” is an inviting, expansive opener — expanding from subdued acoustics and synth-laden shimmers into a blissfully atmospheric pull. The twangy guitars and warming organs build into an enjoyably serene vocal character that’s layered beautifully throughout. “Love is real, and love is why,” harmonious vocal layers emanate within the hypnotic electronic and folk intertwining, thematically capturing the role of love as a primary motivator in life — and also how some may try to exploit that positive aspect of human nature (“Donny’s makin’ money sellin’ bad dreams”). The ensuing “Home” is another standout, achieving a more mellow rock contemplation in yearning for “a place of my own” and to call home.
The riveting songwriting continues with “Lonely Too,” musing about a “little heartbreaker” amidst swift guitar jangles and a suave vocal precision, fondly reminiscent of Christopher Owens. “Maybe now you can be lonely too,” the vocal repeat, moving into a warming bass-fronted conclusion. A lush hold also shows on “Dolores,” which implores to “face the day” in spite of overbearing sadness surrounding, while “Chaz Adores” enamors in its serene vocal duet — with Lillian Ruiz’ dreamy additions declaring “it’s over” — and magnetic guitar jangles. Love is Whys is a melodic, replay-inducing success of an album from Graham Price Gift Shop.
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“Lonely Too” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
