Singles Spotlight: Acapulco Lips –
“Slowly Disappearing”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

Today, we’re excited to discuss another artist who is making some great music: Acapulco Lips. If you say their name out loud, does it sound like apocalypse to you?  Conversely, their music has a less dire vibe and sound. Think surf rock and psychedelia that may evoke memories of yesteryear, featuring gorgeous fuzz, a punk ethos, and strong female lead vocals.

The trio consists of Maria-Elena Herrell (bassist, vocals), Christopher Garland (lead guitar, vocals), and Jordan T Adams (drums, percussion). They’ve been making a name for themselves in the PNW, specifically within the Seattle music scene, even earning a spot on Live on KEXP’s outstanding YouTube channel several years ago. Subscribe to their YouTube channel, and listen to KEXP on the radio as well. They consistently introduce and advocate for excellent music.

This photo’s perspective and lens remind me of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band’s 1967 phenomenal album, Safe as Milk. Does it remind you of album covers, especially from the late 60s?

Recently, on July 14th, the digital version of Acapulco Lips’ new album, Now, was made available. Several days later, on July 18th, the vinyl version became available via Killroom Records, an excellent indie label based in Seattle. This is the band’s second release on the label. For the album, Stefan Rubicz joined Acapulco Lips on keys. According to the album’s press release, it was “Produced by Killroom co-founders Ben Jenkins and Troy Nelson, Now was recorded at their Georgetown studio, then mastered by Pacific Northwest punk legend Kurt Bloch.”

There’s a lot to like about the album. After listening to the entire album, I instantly liked a few of the songs on Now, including, but not limited to, a building swagger, jangly at times charging guitars, and just plain cool sound on “Pas d’echappatoire“. It’s truly a blast from the past in melody in all the best ways. Listen for yourself after the spotlighted song.

The song that follows “Pas d’echappatoire” is another good song, entitled “Slowly Disappearing,” and we’re going to shed some light on it today. Via the album’s press release, the song was, “Written in part after seeing photos of the now-abandoned hospital where she [Herrell] was born, the song captures a feeling of slow erosion — of personal and collective memory — with a gentleness that suggests deeper loss.” Herrell added that, “It can feel like you are disappearing along with them.”

I’ll let you decide your own state of mind and being. I loved the melody overall. More specifically, the fuzzy and psychedelic guitarwork that sings at times. The rocksteady drum beat marches at times, while allowing the guitars and Herrell’s reflective, exploratory lyrics about memory, loss, the present, and the past, as well as her signature vocals, to shine. The result is a superb sound that will remind many of the ’60s, yet still be modern and true to Acapulco Lips, garnering new fans for the band. I think it serves as a fine introduction to start to explore the band’s sound.

Meet the band members and a cast of characters in the artistic yet at times silly video for the song, “Slowly Disappearing” from the Acapulco Lips YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to Killroom Records and Acapulco Lips)

The cover art for Now:

The tracklist for the album Now:

1. Welcome To The Other Side (2:31)
2. You Won’t (3:05)
3. Everyday (3:18)
4. The Flim-Flam (3:32)
5. Take My Hand (3:45)
6. Pas d’echappatoire (2:51)
7. Slowly Disappearing (3:30)
8. Fuzzy Sunshine (3:03)
9. Happy Were The Days (2:55)
10. So Many Miles (4:19)
11. See You On The Other Side (4:37)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com