feature photo: Dan Massie
Readers of this space might know by now about the Andy Platts (Mamas Gun) and Shawn Lee project Young Gun Silver Fox, their irresistible outlet for yacht rock.
Platts and Lee really have this style down, from the crafting of songs with melodic hooks and the soul-stirring vocal arrangements to the LA session perfection of the instrumentation and the analog warmth of the production. If you have any affinity at all for ’70s-early ’80s soft rock, it’s impossible to not like the music coming from this duo.
Ticket to Shangri La (Mixto Records) will be YGSF’s fourth long player, though it’s not slated for release until October 21, 2022. The good news is that there is a delectable little taste of the album available now.
Releasing today (June 17, 2022) is the first advance single “West Side Jet,” also debuting in the charming vintage arcade game-themed video posted above. The breezy vibe of the song – Lee’s folk rhythm guitar over a “Billie Jean” thump providing the foundation – is another winner from the two. Platts’ voice glides easily through actual chord changes and the backing harmonies come in the right spots. Like I said, these guys mind all the details.
All that’s left is for you to do is just soak it in like rays of sunshine. A perfect song with which to start this summer.
- Kim Cass – ‘Levs’ (2024) - July 3, 2024
- Soft Machine – ‘Høvikodden 1971’ (2024) - June 24, 2024
- Aurora Nealand, Mark Helias, Tim Berne – ‘Live at the 188 Club’ (2024) - June 23, 2024
