Audrey and the Sound Gallery: “Pretty Feelings”
On February 3rd of 2023, Audrey & The Sound Gallery released Pretty Feelings, their first full-length album featuring entirely produced songs (they have previously released two collections of demos and two EPs). Their sound is an amalgamation of everything from dream pop to hip-hop to indie to funk to psychedelia, and Pretty Feelings does a great job expanding on that sound. The band’s music is written by Ruben Ramirez, the band’s front-man, and NeKoda, a San Diego rapper, often accompanies them.
Photo taken by @phin.eas.j on IG
“Obsessively” starts the album off strong with some interplay between the driving guitar riff and the winds. The verse’s slightly sinister tone contrasts with the chorus’s pop flavors, and a tasteful saxophone solo adds a lot to the song’s vibe.
A poppy synth melody leads us into “Don’t Ruin The Magic,” a track I can’t find a better way to describe than simply catchy as f*ck. NeKoda’s verse on the song packs it with even more energy. My only complaint is that the song isn’t longer.
“Everyone’s A Fool (For Someone)” features more traditional instrumentation, relying primarily on guitar, bass, and drums. Still, it remains unique by bringing the bassline to the front and ending with a crazy, shredding synth solo.
“Trauma Makes You Cool” leans back more towards the style of “Obsessively,” again relying on a hook played on the sax. The drums in the chorus sound like they are stumbling over themselves in the most graceful way possible, and I love it.
“Crucial” is a synth-pop banger with a light tone that’s done away with in the bridge, where the keys give way to a slap bassline and funk-inspired instrumentation.
With “Vices,” Audrey leans further into electronic inspiration, with some heavier autotune, chopped-up vocals, and 808s. The change is unexpected, but Audrey pulls it off well.
Audrey takes clear inspiration from funk styles on the album’s title track, complete with envelope filters, Latin-style percussion, and catchy rhythmic hooks.
Photo taken by @phin.eas.j on IG
The album ends on a bittersweet note, with some lovely melodies and softer instrumentation. The lines “I don’t think I really need you, but I think I’ll stay / it’s something for the pain / I’m fixed on yesterday” are some of my favorites on the album. The combination of Ramirez & Beth’s (the second singer featured on the track) voices lends it even more power, despite its subtle delivery.
Pretty Feelings is an album that feels nostalgic, with its evident admiration for many diverse genres and forward-thinking, incorporating elements of electronic music and production subtly and uniquely. It fits in well on a party playlist and for listening to in your room alone, where you can truly appreciate all the exceptional talent that went into it. That talent was kind enough to answer my questions about the band and their experience, so I hope you enjoy what they say!
Photo taken by @phin.eas.j on IG
AUDREY & THE SOUND GALLERY HAS A WELL-CULTIVATED MUSICAL AESTHETIC. IS STICKING TO THAT STYLE SOMETHING YOU MUST BE CONSCIOUS OF WHEN WRITING SONGS, OR DOES IT COME NATURALLY?
“We’re always trying to expand and go beyond what we’ve already created. We’re all about taking risks and expressing yourself in your most authentic form. When writing new material, we try to keep things very open and often find the things we come up with when straying away from typical formulas are much more rewarding. We like experimenting with our sounds while sticking to our influences and maintaining the fun and joy we get from making music. The songs’ open self-expression becomes evident and contagious during our live shows.”
YOUR STYLE IS ALSO FAR FROM MANY OF THE BANDS YOU PLAY WITH; THERE ARE MANY MORE PUNK/HARDCORE ACTS THAN INDIE-POP/FUSION ARTISTS. ARE CROWDS TYPICALLY RECEPTIVE TO THE CHANGE IN STYLE?
“At first, going to these heavier shows was a little intimidating because we weren’t sure how people would react to the funkier sounds. It was kind of like a first date where you were simultaneously excited and nervous. Still, it’s the most incredible thing once we start the musical conversation and exchange energy with the audience. I think good songs will prove themselves and a good crowd can tell if you’re being genuine or not. So we’re thankful real recognizes real, and it’s also such a trip to see people mosh to a saxophone! Audrey’s adaptability is one of its finer qualities.”
Photo taken by @phin.eas.j on IG
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE OFF OF PRETTY FEELINGS, AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE MEANING/WHY YOU LIKE IT?
“I think my most meaningful lyric is on ‘Vices’ in the opening line; ‘is it really better to be desired or understood.’ This line is my commentary on the growing attention we’ve been getting. Sometimes people are drawn to things just because of the excitement and glamour, but those who understand why we do what we do and connect with us on multiple levels are invaluable. That and ‘trauma makes you cool’ because it’s a funny yet accurate statement.”
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY ARTIST FEATURE ON A SONG OFF THE ALBUM, WHO AND WHAT SONG?
“That’s a tricky question because I feel like the features we did get for this record fit so well. I wrote another song for Topeka originally before I had the inspiration for ‘Everyone’s a Fool’; it was a fun RnB soulful song that there’s still a good chance for us to make. We might save it for the next record or a deluxe version of Pretty Feelings. That’s a fun idea we’ve been exploring because I wrote a few more tracks for this project that didn’t make the final cut. I’ve always thought of this record as ‘these are not love songs; these are songs about love,’ and I’d like to say more. I would’ve loved to work with the idea of adding more vocal layers and harmonies to Pretty Feelings. The Microblades and Kelpbeds are immensely talented, and I’ve written some material for them that I’ve been saving, so maybe later this year, that’ll come to fruition.”