Introducing: Val Son
Val Son are a Minneapolis quartet consisting of Emily Mohrbacher, Eric Carlson, Jordan Taylor, and Mike Gunvalson. They’ve actually been around of quite a few years, most recently releasing the full length album Getting By last Fall (their first studio album).
Getting By is a calming and meditative collection of indie rock songs that also contains trace elements of folk, acid and otherwise. The sound is often anchored by resplendent waves of reverb’d guitar that bathe everything in a kind of dreamy haze. Band members share vocal duties, trading (and sharing) turns at covering existential themes in a manner that is as unassuming as it is soothing. Keys, drum, and bass flesh out the rest of the elements, also contributing to the general theme of tranquil beauty with a slightly melancholic edge.
The album is a cohesive and well-fleshed out whole, with a number of tunes that could be considered standouts. The lead single was/is Emily Mohrbacher-led “Knife River,” which sets itself apart with a light post-punk vibe and somewhat more upbeat rhythm. Haunting “Black Diamond” would be a perfect jam to accompany a midnight drive on a deserted country road. The more placidly gorgeous “Maria” and “Eternal” really add to make for a solid core to the album’s middle.
You can stream/purchase Getting By below or directly at the band’s bandcamp site. Val Son don’t have any shows currently scheduled but you can keep an eye on that on their Facebook page (they just played as recently as last weekend).
