So the debut album from Vacant Gardens finally came out, on Burundi Cloud. Behind the name hides Glenn Donaldson of Skygreen Leopards and Jem Fanvu of Tune-Yards. Under the Bloom is a record that goes for understatement rather than pop hooks. The escapism inherent in songs like “Sunlight On Dry Grass” has more in common with 90s indie like Northern Picture Library and Secret Shine than anything being released currently. It’s melancholy without wallowing in self-pity. The LP is sold out but you can get a free bonus track from them. (Make sure you check out the ‘lost’ Art Museums album as well.)
