Quiet Slang - “Dirty Cigarettes”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Death Cab for Cutie, Andrew Bird, Beach Slang

Quiet Slang is Beach Slang’s chamber-folk alter-ego, pushing up the tender emotion in the Philadelphia indie/emo rock band’s catalog and revealing some intimate and sweeping pieces therein. This isn’t just an acoustic demo record, rather Quiet Slang’s Everything Matters But No One Is Listening is beautiful and spacious, an orchestrated effort of strings, piano, and angelic harmonies. Frontman James Alex pulls back his vocals as well, often whispering but still holding a thick rock tone, an interesting instrument combined with the lush balladry that underpins the vulnerable and moving record. (Kevin McStravick)