Sid Simons - “You’re a Freak”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 5

Pairs Well With…Jim James, Phosphorescent, Sufjan Stevens

Sid Simons planted a sign embracing the evolution of his sound when he announced the retirement of GIRL SKIN. Simons and band look toward the future while understanding what got them there. While we are awaiting new music, it’s worth jumping back into 2020 record Shade is on the Other Side to experience their relatively recent roots. A folk record at its core, Shade is graceful and full, using folk music as a starting point to build lush tracks full of harmony and subtle tension. When Simons adds shoegaze density like on highlight track “You’re a Freak”, his sound surprisingly grows into something more visceral and rarely heard in Americana-based songwriting. (Kevin McStravick)

2020 Review: Indie folk/Americana band GIRL SKIN announced their debut record Shade is on the other side this month with gorgeous chamber ballad “Forever & Always”, a sweet, warm song letting acoustics and strings build to a grinding electric jam for the highlight track’s coda. Though subtle, GIRL SKIN are ambitious in their songwriting, filling space with lovely sounds and melodies rather than rely on pure roots. It’s simply one of the prettiest love songs coming from SXSW artists this year and a taste of what could be a breakout effort from the talented Brooklyn artists.