Released on December 8, 2023, Something Strange by Hawaiian Pistoleros blends genres and emotions with ease. With 10 tracks, all composed and recorded on Coconut Island by Vassili Caillosse, the album transports listeners through a rockabilly-filled tropical journey with whimsical and mystical storytelling.
“Crazy Shaky Dizzy World” opens Something Strange with upbeat rockabilly and western swing rhythms. The song, despite its whimsical and danceability, hints at a deeper sense of disarray in the world, as the airy, psychedelically high reverbed vocals create a haze in the vintage atmosphere.
“Honaunau Napoopoo” opens with a lush guitar melody, and Vincent Dupas’ thick voice permeates romantically as he sings slowly. The enchanting sparkling guitar rhythm puts you in a trance, amidst the wailing organs that remind you of tropical beaches. The choir’s backing vocals towards the end only further romanticize and flesh out the atmosphere.
The titular track of Something Strange perfectly encapsulates its theme of mystery and the surreal. Opening with a swinging rhythm, catchy melodies, and hooky lyrics, the song soon shifts into a darker, more haunting atmosphere with eerie backing vocals as it tells tales of unsettling disappearances.
The final track, “Home For Sale,” wraps up the album on a melancholic yet grand note through the story of selling a house filled with memories. It starts with gentle guitar strums and piano flourishes, then builds into a powerful orchestral arrangement complete with brass and strings. The crescendo portrays a scene of a dramatic farewell ceremony.
Listen to Something Strange by Hawaiian Pistoleros if you’re looking for an album that feels both familiar and otherworldly.
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Photo credits: Antoine Gadiou, RBKrecords
Review by: Naomi Joan