After producing indie rock gold with their self–titled debut album, Real Estate is back with their sophomore effort. In 2009, Real Estate excited listeners with lo–fi tunes and hazy vocals, earning themselves a “Best New Music” nod from Pitchfork. Now, the New Jersey group is making good on that distinction with their latest LP, Days. To say Days sounds like a walk down the beach is an understatement. Real Estate’s fuzzy and warm sound harkens to that of the Beach Boys and Best Coast, but with an extra dose of monotony. Days is full of songs that seem to embody a beachcomber’s lifestyle: slow, aimless, easy. There’s a certain weight behind the cheery lead guitar in every song, a sadness that comes with each repetitive guitar riff. From the first track, Days clearly rings of nostalgia. “Easy” begins promisingly enough, with a sun–splashed melody sure to make your head bob. But lead singer Martin Courtney’s words give him away, as he sings “Back when we had it so easy/I would surrender completely.” The sweet sadness of his voice hangs in the air, bringing gravity to the deceiving jingle–jangle of the guitar. The rest of the album follows this sort of lethargy, but there are some shining moments in the mix. “Kinder Blume” provides a nice instrumental interlude; the dreamy tune repeats over and over without boring the listener. Moreover, “Wonder Years” stands as a testament to Real Estate’s songwriting talent. The lyrics are simple but sound so loud and honest that it’s tempting to look away: “Well I’m not yours/And you’re not mine/I’m not okay, but/I guess I’m doing fine.” Herein lies Real Estate’s genius: finding depth in the mundane. The problem with Days isn’t its quality — it’s the repetition. “Easy” sounds good. But then, so does the next song "Green Aisles," because it sounds extremely similar. Repeat this process nine more times, until the whole album blurs into one long, really sad stroll. It numbs with its endless rhythms and melancholia ad nauseam. But if Real Estate can continue to show their depth through their wistful ways, they might earn the right to be called "Best New Music."
Real Estate Days
Sounds Like: Best Coast if Best Coast was less happy and had a lead male vocalist. 99–Cent Download: “Green Aisles” Good For: Lazy days and moping.
