Kelly Kirwan
A crinkled line weaves itself throughout one of Frankie Broyles’ most recent melodies, as if the bellows of an accordion had taken on a bit of rust, producing a pitch that's somehow both nasally and digital. It snakes between a steady percussion and his docile croon, which has the slightest touch of haze in its far-off delivery. The song in question is "Shoulder Blade," a three-minute dip into a genre that’s hard to pin down, a unique flavor of indie pop with garage-rock influences and even a touch of psychedelia. It creates an interesting tension between the uncanny and nonchalant—one that persists throughout his latest EP, Slow Return.
The seven-song undertaking shows once again how Broyles thrives as an independent artist. You may have encountered his work in the past, though his stints with Balkans, Omni, or, of course, Deerhunter. But in his return to flying solo he’s shown (not that there had been much doubt) that he’s more than just a kick-ass guitarist. He’s an auteur of expansive harmonies that glimmer with a pop-sensible polish, whirring and wobbling like a brightly painted spinning top. The Atlanta-based musician has spoken in the past of finding inspiration for his solo material, and the bottom line seemed to be that he wasn’t afraid to let go. He has certain visions for his work, but in an interview with Seventh Hex he noted he “wasn’t afraid to miss the mark.” Luckily, these creative free falls never do.
The accompanying video for his track "Seward Park" is a reel of grainy footage, like a home movie from decades long past. As twangy guitars gleam across the melody, the footage switches between landscape shots, zooming into an array of bare, wintery tree branches, and then focusing on a green feline eye. Broyles’ voice is deep, but feels porous compared to the rich tones of the melody, as he sings, “I’ll say what is on your mind / Not right now” before the screen fades to pink. It’s a melody that bops along quickly, a mix of contemplative and upbeat moods. Which is unsurprising, as throughout the EP, Broyles never seems to limit himself to a single energy level. He meshes and blends, creating a multi-faceted piece of work that's wonderfully original and a joy to listen to.