in a sea of obscurity
As things began opening up early this year, a hint of optimism mingled with the blossoming springtime air.
In the un-year that was 2020, Javier Romero aka Strange Magic self-released one of the most poignant albums documenting the mood and circumstances leading up to the pandemic*: “Melatonin Doomsday Blues”. Aquarium Drunkard notes in their 2020 Year In Review: “Even though this album was written and recorded before the unpleasantness of 2020, it feels like a pandemic project: endlessly citable music bits flow by—”No Heaven For Betsy’s” Velvet Underground stomp, the Harry Nilsson bounce of “Master Blaster”—while Javier Romero’s lyrics worry and mull over things large, small and in between.”
In the nearly 20 years since he first set foot in a tour van – having shared the stage with folks like Beirut, Superdrag, and The Breeders – he’s been busy quietly carving a small place for himself among folks like 2nd Grade and Mo Troper, endlessly attempting to create timely and timeless songs.
Being a workaholic seemingly made for cloistered times and having plenty to say about the state of things, He’s hunkered in his bedroom bunker and furiously created a companion album to “Melatonin…”. The yin to “Melatonin’s” yang, “Feel Good.” is a cautiously optimistic collection of cutting power pop gems that comment on: social responsibility, celebrity, conspiracies, friendship, parenthood, horses, and perhaps love. Mastered at Abbey Road by Alex Wharton (MBV, The Pixies, McCartney), “Feel Good.” seeks to welcome a Xanax induced calm into these potential after times in hopes that we’ll soon witness clean and natural highs to come.
– Javier Romero (Written in 3rd person to seem professional)
*According to myself and maybe two other people I don’t know personally