Tides End, the second LP from Minks, recently released on Captured Tracks, is a big departure from the more guitar driven, shoegazey sound of the first album.
Sonny Kilfoyle, the man who is Minks, relocated for a time to the East End of Long Island as a means of curing his writer’s block. He stumbled on an old estate named Tides End which not only inspired the new album, but also gave it its name. He began recording with noted electronic producer, Mark Verbos, and the result is a melodic, spirited record of catchy, dark-tinged songs about “the little moments in life.” Gone are the murky, layered guitars and brooding vocals; replaced with more synth-heavy pop songs, although some of the darkness still remains. Romans, the opening track exaggerates but still sets the tone of the record. Here Kilfoyle seems to be channeling Stephin Merritt, with perky synths and bitter but humorous lyrics like, “Happy Birthday, Can I poison your drink?”
The bouncy pop extends to the song, Margo, but now the bitterness has turned to yearning. Inspired by a painting called Margo that he found on the estate, the song, as well as its accompanying video, is a wistful remembrance of someone he may have never met, but the memories and emotions it evokes can apply to any lost love, something which I’m sure everyone can relate.
The rest of the record is populated by richly produced, catchy synth-pop songs with themes of melancholy reminiscence – a perfect album for Summer’s end. Tides End is available on Captured Tracks and iTunes and streaming on Spotify. You can follow the band on Facebook and Twitter.