This week’s #TFI_Friday album is Rose Hotel’s sophomore release Pawn Surrender that was released on 7th June 2024. Rose Hotel is the self-adopted moniker of Atlanta singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Reynolds who I first discovered with her debut 2019 album. This chess metaphor tiled album builds on themes introduced in her debut album I Will Only Come When Its a Yes. Pawn Surrender finds a more adult and cohesive genre-spanning songwriting approach via the nuanced ten indie rock songs. If you pay attention, you can hear a definitive sonic homage to the legends of the indie rock art form. Reynolds employs the trappings of psychedelic rock not as source material, but as ornamentation, exploring relationships, feminine rage, lust, temptation, blissful ignorance, frightening apathy, delusions, and illusions.
Reynolds co-produced A Pawn Surrender with acclaimed Athens, Georgia producer Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, S.G Goodman, Kristine Leschper) who also expertly mixed and provided additional production. The group of studio musicians assembled for this album nods to Reynold’s time spent in the music DIY scene throughout the Southeast, collectively known for their work with Margo Price, S.G. Goodman, Caitlin Rose, Orville Peck, Rich Ruth, Neighbour Lady, Night Palace, and CDSM, all of whom I have featured in past #TFI_Friday album reviews.
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Dalton Koss HQ 