Album of The Week: The Bright Light Social Hour ‘Emergency Leisure’

Album of The Week: The Bright Light Social Hour 'Emergency Leisure'
Album of the Week: The Bright Light Social Hour ‘Emergency Leisure’

Our featured album this week is Emergency Leisure, the brand new record from Austin, TX mood punk/psych rock/cosmic band The Bright Light Social Hour.

Founded by Jackie O’Brien (bass/vocals) and Curtis Roush (guitar/vocals), and newly joined by Mia Carruthers (keys/vocals), Zac Catanzaro (drums) and Juan Alfredo Ríos (percussion), the band’s new record sees them combining expansive soundscapes with propulsive electronic grooves, offering an intoxicating blend of psychedelic styles and catchy melodies.

Speaking on the album, the band stated:

On the precipice of pandemic, we embarked on a tour that would eventually see the departure of two band members and a near-total pause of our careers. But in the midst of our confusion and before the curtains dropped, we had a cosmic night at Bar L’Escogriffe in Montreal. After our set, we set aside years of struggle and quite simply danced the night away. As Jack and I rebuilt the band in the twilight days of pandemic with new members Zac, Mia, and Alfredo, this night served as our North Star. In our home studio on Lake Travis outside Austin, we forged Emergency Leisure to bring this after-hours magic to our dear fans and listeners. We needed the break then, we certainly needed the break during the pandemic years, and we need it now all the same. Come dance the night away with us. We’ve missed you.”

Favourite tracks: Not New, Most High, Prefecture, Eating Out My Mind, Lifers Only, Call My Name…

Emergency Leisure‘ is out now via Escondido Sound. Grab your copy here and stream it below.

Emergency Leisure Tracklist:
  1. Not New
  2. Most High
  3. Amsalak
  4. Small Celebrations
  5. Prefecture
  6. Eating Out My Mind
  7. Lifers Only
  8. Death of a Lifer
  9. Swollen
  10. Call My Name
  11. Empty Fields

Photo credit: Andrea Escobar