Stream Fort Not’s The Club Is Open LP
About a year ago we first caught wind of Gothenburg’s Fort Not with their hit single “I Guess;” they’ve been teasing us with a full LP for the better part of this year. Tomorrow, however, The Club is Open will officially be birthed into the world, but we’ve got a preview of the album courtesy of our friends over at Meritorio Records (who are releasing it!). If you skip ahead, you can catch my track by track breakdown of the entire LP; all 13 tracks! Of course, you can also just grab a copy for yourself right HERE!
Spending Time: What a great way to start off the record; they jump in immediately, wrapping these vocals lines around this anxious drum beat. While the rhythm still lends tension, the track adds in this effortless charm from the vocal work, aided by some special backing vocals. I love how the song’s latter half really opens up to the world, like they weren’t sure if you caught on, so they suck you in before bounding to a close.
Amsterdam: You can chalk this up to that sort of upbeat indiepop that I’m particularly fond of, which sort of blurs the lines with power pop. I think I swoon every time I hear that chorus; I just love the way it kind of sweeps you away, like you should be dancing with a loved one.
I Guess: While this was the first single that turned us onto the band, it’s also the track that kind of shows the band’s range in sound; this one can be sort of nodding to that sort of Velvets/Stones campfire balladry. Still, their inclusion of these little background notes/vocals gives them this sort of playfulness that hits home.
Sunflower Mountain Girl: Something about this song makes me think of the Vaseline’s (and later Nirvana) “Son of a Gun.” It’s got that sort of happy plodding to it, sort of like your’e bounding through flowery hillsides. Definitely made me listen to “Son of a Gun” a few times before coming back here. Both are cool in my book.
Hanging On: After a couple of slow burners, the guitars on this jam pick the pace back up, but, I think it was here that I realized that the group can kind of bounce around with just a bunch of really great bands; this has a very Flying Nun feel if you’re asking me, maybe mixed in with this sort of DIY K Records approach. This is exactly where I fell in love with the album as a whole.
You Will Find Me Dead: You know when you’re listening through to a whole record, then suddenly you find that you are in love with maybe the least likely song? This is kind of that song. It felt like an aside for some reason, though it also felt like one of the record’s most intimate numbers; the sort you pick up and put in your pocked to carry with you.
Swirling: I love the dreamy nature on this song; there’s that percussive echo that I feel is tied to so many of my favorite albums; its kind of like JAMC meets Galaxie 500, but played through a very modern jukebox…probably one of those digital ones that has all the hits.
Mary Ann: This is a slow burner. I’ll cop to not falling in love with it on first listen through the record. Its not bad by any means, just maybe didn’t have that tractor-beam pulling me in to love it. But, it fits into the record perfectly, also kind of sets up the following tune. Perhaps this is the band’s Calvin Johnson adoration shining through
Jennie Brown: I want us all to turn this tune up really loud; I want us to shimmy about our bedrooms and our living rooms and our cubicles. Those sharp guitar notes beckon you to get up out of your chair. The vocals get worked in perfectly, adding their own rhythm with their bouncy delivery. One of those tunes likely to make it onto playlists in the foreseeable future.
Love Me Do: This feels very 90s mixtape to me, kind of like the Comet Gain at their very very best. Its fuzzy and saccharine all at once, played up too with the lyrical content. I’m also in love with the track placement. Side B can always get bogged down, but two back-to-back ditties and you won’t be upset when you flip that vinyl over for side two!
Rip It Up: The album comes full circle here. This one sort of returns to that sort classic realm of where we all trace back our indie rock roots. It’s sort of post folk, kind of groovy, but also sort of defiant in its own manner. They don’t shy away from the pop sensibility either, which is an added bonus. Plus, I mean, it has to be an Orange Juice nod right?
Truckload of Bubbles: I thought maybe this was the one song I could go either way on. The chorus does get to me a bit, but I think that sort of crunchy arena rock opening riffage threw me for a loop. Still, its not a bad song. Just maybe not my favorite. Then again, five listens in and it starts to all make sense.
Boy: An ethereal album closer anyone? This is the record’s longest tune, and perhaps one that sort of sees the band drawing in all their influences together. Don’t be fooled by the moody opening (which is still pretty striking), as there’s a delicate uptick in energy at 1.5 minute mark, carrying the song, highlighting the band’s knack for creating these insane melodies you can’t escape.