By Cynthia Gross
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D.C.-based dream pop band Color Palette is set to release their latest EP, “Shooting Stars,” on December 3. The mesmerizing collection immerses listeners in ambient soundscapes, beautiful harmonies, and vivid themes of loss and renewal. Alchemical Records is pleased to premiere the “Shooting Stars” EP ahead of its official release.
Color Palette released their first album, Vaporwave, in 2016. Since then, the award-winning band, led by principal songwriter and vocalist Jay Nemeyer, has continued to craft a sound that is distinctly their own. Additional band members include Joshua Hunter, Matt Hartenau, Rogerio Naressi, and Maryjo Mattea.
The band’s creative process for “Shooting Stars” was different than previous projects. “The origin of every song was based on collaboration of some kind,” Nemeyer shared. “Previous releases were, for the most part, based on songs that I wrote and recorded on my own. For this EP, all the songs were based on 10-15 second loops that were fleshed out into full songs.”
“For example, the origin of the song ‘Shooting Stars’ was based on a loop that Kyle Downes recorded using a Moog Mother-32. Another example, the origin of ‘Clear Water Blue’ was based on a loop that Joshua Hunter made in Logic,” he added.
Nemeyer credits Kyle Downes, who he praises as “one of the most talented engineers in the DMV region,” for helping to create the EP’s lush, otherworldly sound. “Shooting Stars” also features Mike Tasevoli of Greenland and Abby Sevcik of Mystery Friends.
In addition to the title track, another standout on the EP is the breathtaking closer, “Porcelain.” With phrases like “so frail and fragile,” “watch it slip away,” and “I don’t want to break,” the song speaks to the transience of the things we hold dear. Lyrics later in the song, including “we’ve forgotten how lucky we are,” prompt listeners to find beauty in fleeting moments.
Fans of The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Tame Impala will identify with Color Palette’s ethereal, cinematic sound. The band has shared the stage with world-renowned acts such as Charli XCX, and their music has garnered placements with ESPN, MTV, Vimeo, and more.
Take one listen to Color Palette’s new EP, and you’ll realize that it is a pure work of art. In the age of singles and shrinking attention spans, “Shooting Stars” is a collection that unequivocally merits an uninterrupted listen from start to finish.
This weekend, Color Palette will perform songs from their new EP live at Pie Shop, and their release show is not one to be missed. “We’ll be playing songs new and old, and we’ll have a special guest,” notes Jay Nemeyer. “We do not have the opportunity to play live often, so we are looking forward to coming together on stage. There are no other shows booked right now, so this would be an opportune time to catch us before we hibernate again!”
Go see Color Palette live at Pie Shop on December 4 at 7:30 p.m
Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
