The Midwest music scene has birthed its own beacon of warmth and authenticity in the form of The Slaps, whose latest album, “This is My First Day at Drawing,” invites listeners into a sonic realm that blends sharp kindness, youthful exuberance, and a fearless exploration of musical boundaries.
Comprising Rand Kelly on guitar, Ramsey Bell on bass, and Josh Resing on drums, The Slap boys hail from diverse backgrounds, and their music reflects the various landscapes they’ve traversed. “This is My First Day at Drawing” boasts a collection of seven tracks, including six original compositions and a cover of the late great Rodriguez’s work. The collaborative nature of the album is evident in its creation, with each member contributing two songs and then teaching them to the others. This collaborative process infuses the album with a sense of shared experience and collective creativity.
Conceptually, the album serves as a snapshot of the band’s recent past, a musical diary that communicates with fans, friends, and families alike. The listener is invited to catch up with The Slaps as they navigate a two-year timeframe through the lens of their acoustic indie folk sound.
The album is a delightful immersion into acoustic indie folk. Relies on soft guitar arrangements and warm vocals to craft an intimate and fresh folk atmosphere. The sometimes deliberately sloppy style adds a distinctive flavor to the off-beat lyrics, creating a sense of authenticity and unfiltered emotion.
Among the gems on the album, “Screamin Shakin” and “Brief Conversations with Light” stand out as tracks that encapsulate The Slaps’ unique musical identity. These songs showcase the band’s ability to seamlessly blend folk elements with a raw, unpolished charm, inviting the listener into an experience that feels both genuine and unpredictable.
“Brief Conversations with Light” stands out as the crown jewel on the album. The vocalist’s irresistibly catchy and rich voice takes center stage, reaching new heights of performance. The beautiful acoustic instrumentation, coupled with intriguing production quality, highlights the band’s unique style. The lyrics, blending introspection and poetry, add a meaningful layer to the song’s narrative. It’s a standout piece on the album, solidifying The Slaps’ reputation for crafting music that resonates deeply.
“This is My First Day at Drawing” by The Slaps is a testament to the band’s commitment to musical exploration, collaboration, and an unapologetic embrace of their authentic selves. The album’s acoustic indie folk aesthetic, coupled with its eclectic songwriting, makes for a joyful journey through the Midwest’s biggest smile. As The Slaps continue to break musical boundaries, their latest offering stands as a vibrant chapter in their evolving narrative.
ABOUT THE BAND:
The Slaps are the Midwest’s biggest smile. Real sharp and kind-like, sweet with tobacco and cola. They’re young and they possess a Golden Corral appetite for their craft and its explorations. The Slaps truly don’t consider things that might attach to limits. And for that they can fly.
The Slap boys; Rand Kelly (gtr), Ramsey Bell (bass), and Josh Resing (drums) that is, come from many places and they take and leave many parts of themselves along the way. From Kentucky to Chicago and back, with some even laying stead in Atlanta. That makes them local boys in my book, at least till that lease runs out in October. There’s a perfect blend of Midwest stock and southern charm to The Slaps. The music started some point a ways back and it doesn’t ever stop. From pop-adjacent indie to post punk with all the starts and stops to life-considering journeys of frozen still balladry: The Slaps are fishing for every human emotion, attempting to build a lodge and sweat it out of ya then and there. The music is now growing new limbs with far reaches in improvisation and avant-garde fencing. And that’s all there is to it, a world of opportunities Slapping like waves against the napes of three imaginations. Hear it come crashing down.
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