Dutch Interior is an indie rock band from Long Beach, California consisting of guitarist/vocalist Jack Nugent, guitarist/vocalist Conner Reeves, keyboardist/vocalist Shane Barton, drummer Hayden Barton, bassist/vocalist Davis Stewart & guitarist/vocalist Noah Kurtz. Their 2021 debut EP Kindergarten would prelude their full-length debut Blinded by Fame, the latter of which would become their most acclaimed project thus far & resulted in Fat Possum Records signing them earlier this winter. To coincide with spring, they’re making their debut for the label by putting out their sophomore effort.
“Canada” is this indie rock opener singing about seeing 2 sparrows flirting by the lake whereas “Sandcastle Molds” goes for more of an alt-country vibe dealing with holding on to your sense of self as the world descends into madness at a nauseating pace. “Wood Knot” keeps the alt-country influences going disregarding the idea of being a leaf when he’s a natural irregularity, but then “Science Fiction” sings about something shifted in his shape over acoustics & an organ.
The acknowledgement of self-awareness on “Sweet Time” of the world moving fast day by day is made clearly with it’s traditional country tone while “Life (So Crazy)” goes indie rock again singing that he misses the days when the moments were still until the weight came. “4th Street” embraces an Americana direction keeping their secrets close to the ground & the country-driven “Horse” dreams of living in the countryside. “Christ on the Mast” feels more alt-country feeling Hell bent & “Beekeeping” finishes their Fat Possum debut with a reflection on personal flaws.
These guys’ disparate influences all converge on here shapeshifting oscillates between sharply hewn indie rock as well as alt-country along with hints of dissonant ambience & Americana, all while still sounding like a band who both speak their own private language & translate it into something universal. They take the observation of us existing in a tradition of American music & take that to places that are personal to them finds its way in terms of songwriting through its own humorous twists & turns, an undercurrent of omnipresent & steadfast declarations of love.
Score: 4.5/5
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