Square Shells EP

Kurt Vile

Released May 25 2010

OLE-936

Format: 12”EP/DA

A stepping-stone 7-song EP from Philadelphia singer-songwriter KURT VILE,  2010’s Square Shells depicts everything from dreamgazey jams to plaintive, folky melodies. Recorded in a brighter, less homemade sound than his previous work, Kurt’s extraordinarily evocative songwriting explores themes of friendship, loss, and desolation.
As the title suggests, Square Shells is also something of a collection of curios. Opening track “Ocean City” instantly grasps you with its charming, sunny melody – completely undercut by its loner lyrical vibe. If earlier Kurt Vile records channeled private-pressing downerfolk via early Pavement and Cass McCombs, this song layers Leo Kottke on Van Dyke Parks. Subsequent tracks move past the acoustic sound into beautiful layers of guitar and vocals.