Lampland - Dry Heat (2022) Hi-Res

Lampland is the new project from New York-based singer/songwriter Tommy Bazarian. Bazarian debuted back in 2019 with his first LP, No Mood, and next month he’s back with his sophomore release and his first record for Park The Van Records, Dry Heat. Bazarian wrote his latest effort while immersed in ‘70s heartbreakers, searching for the soul-rending core that runs through artists like Stevie Nicks and Dolly Parton. Dry Heat twists and reframes those influences, reimagining them amidst warped indie rock soundscapes, fuzzy and fried instrumentation, and bitterly vivid lyricism.

But in the spirit of alt-innovators like Beck and Pavement, the songs on Dry Heat warp their rootsy influences as much as they honor them. The production is often slanted and fuzzed-out, full of blitzed guitars, midnight synths, and basement pianos. Bazarian’s voice is captivating, owing more to Elliott Smith than his ‘70s loves. His delivery flips between reverence and mischievousness, indulging in that Dolly Parton emotion, surrendering to it, and playing with it in equal measure.