Ragamuffs - “Sunset Chaser”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Best Coast, Belle & Sebastian, Surfer Blood

Ragamuffs put sweetness and charm at the center of their breezy indie pop/rock sound, pleasantly spread across their sunny debut EP Achy Luminescence. That island-tinged vibe makes sense coming from the duo’s home of Hawaii, incorporating some of their local folk melodies into their upbeat rock grooves. That brightness extends to Ragamuffs’ vocal melodies too, using guy/girl vocals both as lead instruments and in soft harmony against grunge-pop guitar tones and percussion. While atmospherically soft, Ragamuffs’ music has jangly drive as well, finding moments to burst out before moving into dreamier space on tracks like “Yellow Daze” explorative single “Sunset Chaser”. The latter filters surf-rock riffs into their laid-back songwriting and features some of the hookiest melodies of the emerging band’s first tracks. Ragamuffs are currently raising funds to make the long trip to Austin for SXSW, so chip in a few bucks to bring the beach to the middle of Texas next month.