Supermodels

by Claud

Overview

Claud's debut LP, early 2021's Super Monster, was issued by Phoebe Bridgers' Saddest Factory imprint and led to slots at Bonnaroo and on tour with Bridgers, Bleachers, and even Paramore, among others. That relative success ultimately ended up informing the themes of isolation and coming of age on the follow-up. Begun in late 2021, Supermodels processes the loss of things like relationships, support networks, and proximity to loved ones on songs penned on a tuned-down, secondhand piano with missing octaves and a newly acquired acoustic guitar that wouldn't stay in tune -- seemingly appropriate tools for the task at hand. The resulting 13 songs, later spruced up (at least in some cases) with a team of collaborators that included Semisonic's Dan Wilson, reassert the knack for candid, conversational ruminations and compact pop hooks evident on their debut, but with plenty of variety in how they're expressed. Restrained, melancholic opener "Crumbs" notes the accumulation of efforts made for a loved one with spare acoustic guitar and subtle, glitchy electronics before second track "Dirt" plugs in amps and sets a midtempo groove for similarly underwhelmed sentiments like "Don't go to sleep before calling back/Toss me a rope, throw me a bone." Claud breaks out the drum machines and synths on the post-punky "Wet" ("I'll take what I can get/Dip your feet but not too wet"), while elsewhere tracks like "Glass Wall" and "The Moving On" unleash grungy guitar tones, in the case of the latter alongside that out-of-tune piano. Later, wispy, strings-and-chimes-enhanced indie popper "All Over" is contrasted stylistically by the pop slickness of "Climbing Trees," which is replete with synth shimmer and vocal processing. Throughout, however, punchy hooks and melodic "whoa-ohs" accompany lyrics delivered with an ever-present frown and the suggestion that the title Supermodels was chosen to evoke alienation. ~ Marcy Donelson

Product Details

Release Date:	07/14/2023
Label:	DEAD OCEANS
UPC:	0674012923222

Tracks

1. Crumbs
2. Dirt
3. A Good Thing
4. Every Fucking Time
5. Wet
6. Glass Wall
7. It's Not About You
8. Paul Rudd
9. The Moving On
10. Climbing Trees
11. Spare Tire
12. All Over
13. Screwdriver

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Claud   Primary Artist
Tani Kahn   Guitar
Claud Mintz   Guitar,Synthesizer
Sara Mufford   Piano,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Dan Wilson   Bass,Guitar
Aaron Sterling   Drums,Percussion
Michael Riddleberger   Drums,Percussion
Mikey Freedom Hart   Synthesizer
Seth Paris   Clarinet,Saxophone

Technical Credits

David Marinelli   Composer,Producer
Angela Ricciardi   Photography,Creative Director
Silken Weinberg   Photography,Creative Director
Brad Hale   Composer,Producer
Claud Mintz   Composer,Producer
Sara Mufford   Engineer
Valley Girls   Producer
Dan Wilson   Composer,Producer
Zachary Seman   Producer,Composer,Additional Production
Dave Cooley   Mastering
Tony Hoffer   Mixing
Bram Inscore   Composer,Producer
Nate Company   Composer
Roger Kleinman   Composer,Producer,Additional Production
Miles Johnson   Design
Ethan Gruska   Composer,Producer
Alex Craig   Additional Production
Kyle Shearer   Composer
Seth Paris   Engineer
Mike Malchicoff   Producer