Palehound - “Aaron”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Babehoven, Ratboys, Jay Som

Fresh of the sum-is-better-than-its-parts collaboration with Jay Som, Bachelor’s Doomin’ Sun, Palehound is hopefully heading to SXSW with new songs in tow to follow up their excellent 2019 record Black Friday. Based in minimal bedroom rock, Palehoud’s songwriting is down-to-earth and vulnerable, a tone that somehow emits both hurt and charm. It’s like listening to a friend telling you about what they are going through, a quality that really draws the listener into their music. Just a little grungy, Palehound’s music is mostly light and comfortable, but there are moments of crunch that deepen their expressions without distraction. The Brooklyn three-piece otherwise keep their sound in a pretty tight pocket and it makes sense; there is no reason to genre-hop when the goal is the put the heart of a song as forward as they can. Palehound are celebrating their tenth year since 2013’s debut EP Bent Nail, so maybe SXSW will be a chance to look back while looking forward for this reliable, moving band. (Kevin McStravick)