What is your favourite thing about summertime? There is plenty to like: beer gardens, festivals, major football tournaments, sunshine, and holidays. While we may be stuck indoors for the foreseeable, it doesn’t mean the summer tunes can’t be blasted loud.
Don’t Call Me Ishmael think outside the box. Releasing four EPs to correlate with each season, the aptly named Summer is in celebration of our sunniest time of year.
So let’s take a look at the six tracks that make up this fabulous collection sure to put some sunshine into your day.
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Prague By Night
This song is a funky shuffle dedicated to the capital city of the Czech Republic. The guitar and bass groove along while the drums swing. It has a ska quality to it that will be sure to have you dancing deep into those summer nights.
The Night Chung Ling Soo Died
For those of you wondering, Chung Ling Soo was a famous magician who was accidentally shot during an on-stage trick. Not very summery, is it? But it is about the only thing that isn’t gleeful about this superb EP. Bold and direct, The Night Chung Ling Soo Died drives like a model indie anthem. The chorus is infectious and draws you in with its charisma. If you’re still undecided, the song climaxes in a Springsteen-esque saxophone solo displaying another string to the Don’t Call Me Ishmael bow.
Letters
This track showcases the songwriting qualities of Don’t Call Me Ishmael. It’s an artfully crafted Motown and Stax inspired gem. It soars, glides, and uplifts so much it will have you believing Phil Spector has escaped and jumped behind the mixing desk.
A Time Of Gifts
A beautiful, charming song that you’ll struggle not to waltz along to. A Time Of Gifts bleeds romanticism and will whisk you away with its passionate blend of soul.
Vegan Love Song
Opening with some enticing tremolo guitar work, Vegan Love Song then announces itself and welcomes you to an indie ditty that Weezer would be proud of. The chorus hooks you in, as your feet subconsciously tap away to the incessant pulse of the song.
Wolves Beware
This is a track consisting of ascending strings and a melody of warmth and class. It is a superb song that showcases a different side to Don’t Call Me Ishmael. Think Divine Comedy meets Flaming Lips and you’ll be in the right ballpark. Wolves Beware is a perfect sentiment to sign off and close the EP.
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Summer is an EP of great diversity. From the soul of Stax and Motown to the grooves of ska and the alternative rock of Weezer, Don’t Call Me Ishmael uses their influences as musical ingredients to cook up a sound destined to whisk you away on those summer nights.
