Ariel Pink is finally back with a new song, his first solo release since pom pom. And, if you loved that album, you'll be sure to love the direction he's going in with the new single, "Another Weekend." Like a lot of the songs on pom pom, it all revolves around Beach Boys-esque guitar strumming and vocal harmonies. It's as psychedelic as you'd expect an Ariel Pink song to be, but it's also weirdly unpredictable at times (you've gotta admire how well the sudden time signature shifts work).

The song's also really, really relaxing. Around this time of year, there's a lot of talk about new singles that are "perfect for the summer." Most of the time, those tracks are upbeat and sunny pop tracks. "Another Weekend" is the exact opposite. It's the kind of song that's perfect for that other, less-often talked about side of the summer: when you're home alone on a sweltering Saturday night, kicking back with a beer and nothing better to do. But, despite how relaxing it is to listen to, "Another Weekend" is deeply sad when you pay close attention to the lyrics. They're about the aftermath of a breakup, which has made the singer feel "either too shy or too humble." But the song's about a lot more than simply missing someone. Mostly, it's about the difficult transition we all make from being in a relationship to being alone again. One of the best moments in the lyrics is when Ariel Pink evokes that feeling of being so sure that your ex is right behind you (but, of course, that person's just not there). Some of the lines are really heartbreaking, and might even be a little too relatable for some listeners ("Every day around five in the evening, I think of all that went wrong. We were once so happy together, but not for long. So lock me in and out of my life"). When he sings that refrain, "out of my life," at the track's end, you get the feeling that he's not talking about the weekend he just wasted. No, he's talking about his ex.

"Another Weekend" is a reminder of what's so great about Ariel Pink: he's never boring. His music is exactly what art-pop should be. It's catchy and well-written, but also interesting to listen to. Hopefully, Ariel Pink's next album will sound as fantastic as "Another Weekend," because this is a track that's going to stick in your head for a long time after you listen to it.

Link:

Ariel Pink Releases Catchy New Single, 'Another Weekend' - Baeble Music (blog)