7” Sunday is a segment devoted entirely to 7” vinyl and the all-encompassing experience surrounding it. Although most publications cover major releases, the vinyl single is often overlooked and given nothing more than a half-hearted nod of acknowledgement. This weekly feature is a hub for 7” reviews, exploring the B-sides and rarities of artists that may often go unnoticed.
Each Sunday I will review 7” vinyl from artists who venture this extra mile to hold their singles high above the sea of digital releases. I hope to embody the spirit of vinyl while sharing some fantastic music with you, the reader. Let’s get started.
For someone who has never released a record, Melody Prochet is doing quite well for herself. Heavy media coverage, a recently-released single and a chance-meeting-turned-collaboration with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker have many wondering who this lady is and what all the fuss is about.
Under the moniker Melody’s Echo Chamber, Prochet is a French solo act whose brief catalogue of music has already set her apart as an artist to watch. Her recent debut, a split with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, precedes the forthcoming full-length, expected to drop September 25th via Fat Possum Records. Recorded at Prochet’s grandparent’s beach home and mixed by Parker in Perth, Australia, the single retains a homemade, yet professional mood throughout.
“Crystallized,” the A-side of the record, mixes Atari-esque explosions with Prochet’s ability to flourish when left to her own device. With creative control sprouting from only one source, the song flows smoothly without the interruption of dissenting opinions. While this responsibility would ultimately fail in the wrong hands, Prochet’s techie background helps mold what could have been an electronic disaster into a truly captivating work. The song is two parts dream pop, one part electro-breakdown, and all parts unforgettable.
While UMO’s interpretation of MEC’s “Endless Shore” has its moments, there is a fundamental lacking that the original retains. It’s certainly an undertaking for a group versed in a lo-fi, garage rock niche (UMO) to cover an artist who has neither of these qualities (MEC), and I commend them for this. However, the murky recording and flat presentation detract from what was initially a very emotional and poignant track. If you want a lighthearted interpretation of “Endless Shore,” then the UMO edition is undoubtedly worth checking out. Otherwise, it is safe to say MEC’s will remain a fan favorite.
Check back next week for a look at Candice Gordon’s Smoking Like the Barrel of a Gun.
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