Outersea: Outersea
So many contemporary indie-pop and rock acts draw on elements of surf rock to fit their own diluted mold that it was refreshing to finally hear Outersea’s self-titled debut album—a tried and true testament to the genre. Rooted in all the touchstones fans of The Ventures and Dick Dale have come to know and love, and with little to no emphasis on vocals, the band’s instrumental chops and chemistry take center stage, steering their songs between cinematic drama and psychedelic fun.
Sailors and Ships: Sailors and Ships
After over a decade of backing countless groups around town, drummer Jeremy Wheatley released the first taste of his own tunes as Sailors and Ships, and, boy, was it worth the wait. As a singer-songwriter, Wheatley crafts sweet, seemingly simple ditties that belie troves of thematically rich lyrics, all accentuated with the slightest but most appropriate of studio additives. Though he hasn’t expressed much interest in putting all his creative eggs into the S&S basket, Athens will surely be better off if one of these albums graces our ears every few years.
Wanderwild: Sleep Tight, Socialite
Matt Martin has been steadily gaining traction with his solo project turned full band, but Wanderwild’s second full-length seemed as clear a restart as any. Written and recorded alongside bassist Taylor Cotton and drummer Wes Gregory, the album traded ethereal atmospherics for leaner yet no less melodic songwriting that fits snugly between the 2000s post-punk revival and an episode of “The O.C.”—which is to say, it’s both cool and commercially viable. The band has continued to evolve, showcasing a new five-person lineup, and has proven to be one of the most exciting and promising groups to come out of Athens in some time.