Strange Ranger was one of 2016’s best new bands, and they have been dabbling indelibly in old-school Pacific NW indie rock ever since. Following the release of October’s How It All Went By EP, the Montana-founded, Portland-based group dropped a surprise EP in December called etc.
Their last full-length album was Daymoon 2017. That’s a lot of music, but it doesn’t slow down Strange Ranger. They’ve just announced plans to release a new album this summer called Remembering The Rockets, and they’re sharing their lead single today.
“Leona” has that wavering, casual rock feeling of the 90s, as if in every 90s movie about teenagers this could be the soundtrack to that school dance moment. There’s a shoegaze tinge, but it mostly happens vocally as the vocals feel apathic. Following the chorus with a sing-song “ba-da-da-da,” a soft female vocalist backs the lead. A distinctly-keyed shimmery synth in the background comes about halfway through, and a droning synth takes over as the tune fades out.
Hear below “Leona.”