Del Paxton popped back onto my radar when I stumbled upon Fourmile, the new cross-continental project featuring Del Paxton’s Dylan Englander. Turns out Del Paxton themselves are still very much active too, dropping a new three-song digital EP today that will also appear on a split 12″ with Retirement Party via Storm Chasers LTD.
Clocking in at about 16 minutes, Dog Eared is bad news for people who prefer their songs quick and to the point, but great news for listeners who enjoy following a band wherever the song wants to go. Del Paxton clearly have the chops to make those journeys worthwhile, and these songs are some of the best work of the band yet.
Opener Another Earth begins as an upbeat emo rocker before drifting into a hazy, wandering middle section, lifted by beautiful guest vocals from Julia Steiner of Ratboys, before snapping back to reality. The title track glides along on twinkling guitars that almost feel meditative, though around the three-minute mark the tension builds toward a more cathartic release, showing both sides of the band’s personality in one go.
Closer Out plays with familiar emo tools, odd time signatures, start-stop dynamics, quiet-loud shifts, and does it with real flair. Coincidentally, it might also be the closest Del Paxton have come to writing an Algernon Cadwallader song.
Add to wantlist: Bandcamp