Song of the Day: Beach Fossils - Careless

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Careless” by Beach Fossils from the 2013 album Clash The Truth on Captured Tracks.

Beach Fossils - Careless (MP3)

Lead by Brooklyn musician Dustin Payseur, Beach Fossils' dreamy guitar-driven pop is rooted as much in songcraft as much as it is in space. Emerging in 2010 with their self-titled debut, Payseur initially was the only member of the band, recording the first album by himself, but he soon expanded Beach Fossils into a full live band, which has had a number of members since. Clash The Truth, the band's second full-length, finds Payseur's songwriting evolving past that of his Brooklyn contemporaries, molding sharper hooks while exploring a wider variety of textures. "Careless", the first single from Clash The Truth, is a wistful, reverb-soaked tune that evokes a janglier version of his contemporary and sometimes-collaborator Wild Nothing. As Payseur sighs a soft melody in the verse, his feverish guitar leads soar over the lo-f mix, creating a song that's contains its clamor in order to keep Payseur's pop melodies front and center.

Beach Fossils are finishing up a North American tour next month at SXSW, but keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for any news on future dates. For now, watch the video for their song "Adversity", directed by Ian Perlman: