Charles Bamford
This album is absolutely gorgeous and criminally underrated. It's been a wonderful journey following ABR and witnessing their songwriting and production quality get simultaneously cozier, wonkier, and more heart-wrenching with each release. The variety and soul on this thing keeps me enthralled on each re-listen, and I can't wait to see what's next from this lovely trio.
Lia, Tom is ever so fortunate to have you. Thank you so much for sharing such an intimate part of your life with us. Cheers.
Favorite track: Not Ideal.
Afternoon Bike Ride is a lofi folk trio providing a comfort zone in audio form. It's in the name. When all three artists are together, their chemistry culminates into one organic and lush sound. Sonics that feel natural and freeing, as if fireside with a handful of microphones and instruments and toys. "An audio diary," the band describes, "of what we know will be our most cherished memories."
A Montreal-based Canadian trio consisting of Lia (vocals, guitar, programming), David (vocals, guitar, drums, programming), and Éloi (vocals, keys, drums, programming), the band has released a series of cohesive projects where field recordings blend with ambient, acoustic, folk, and pop. A cauldron of genres they stir during each song. With precision, Afternoon Bike Ride presents a soothing sound all their own, one that continues to expand and deliver with each new release.
Their forthcoming and highly anticipated sophomore album is called 'Glossover'. Genreless and yet familiar, it is an album simultaneously beside a campfire and within a cafe. It's with you on a long car ride and it's with you while helping a loved one or checking in on a friend. Bliss and loss and love and grief breathing as one. There's a "found footage" aspect, with quiet backup vocals and fluttering harmonies that sound like angels flying away. There are outtakes that feel like we're behind-the-scenes. Cozy and sincere. Talking while cooking, daydreaming in a sunswept daze.
Following up on their acclaimed self-titled debut LP in 2021 (as well as their tremendous Skipping Stones EP of the same year), their second LP (out in early 2023) is more. More everything. More effortless chemistry. More connection, more melodies. More fluttering vocals and textured synths. The three are working more tightly as a trio on this 14 song album and it shows. Splitting roles on guitar, vocals, percussion, and even English and French, Afternoon Bike Ride is working as one unit here and it's a comfortable pairing.
Lofi folk but not. Cabin pop but not. Blissful cassettes buried in the sand. A therapeutic open journal shared by friends. While the first album was miraculous in its breadth and possibility and innovation, glossover feels more like a band testing their capabilities. Digging deeper. The dress rehearsal was a great debut, but the sophomore album is the main event.
"Life is imperfect," Lia says, in closing. "We’re imperfect and that’s something beautiful to keep in mind.”
'Glossover' releases February 10, 2023 via Friends of Friends Music.
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