Released April 30, 2013 Length 15:05 Release date 30 April 2013 Label Left Here Music | Recorded 2012-2013 Artist Andrew McMahon Producer Tony Hoffer Genre Indie rock | |
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The Pop Underground
(2013) Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
(2014) | ||
Andrew mcmahon synesthesia
The Pop Underground is an EP by Andrew McMahon, marking his first official debut as a solo artist separated from his prior bands Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin. It is produced and mixed by Tony Hoffer. It was released on April 30, 2013.
Contents
- Andrew mcmahon synesthesia
- After the fire andrew mcmahon full studio version
- Track Listing
- Recording
- Release and Reception
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
The EP's title first appeared in a post McMahon wrote for the Huffington Post, in which he speaks of his accomplishments as an artist under the radar.
I am proud that night after night and album after album, a mass of humanity I now refer to lovingly as the pop underground, come together and sing. Whether it's in theaters and concert venues around the world, in the privacy of our own homes or the constantly shifting landscape of social media, we are a scrappy tribe and we stand for something: Music that is found, shared and cared for despite access to traditional outlets; music that lives virally and through word of mouth; music that tells a story that people want to retell.
After the fire andrew mcmahon full studio version
Track Listing
All tracks written by Andrew McMahon and Mark Williams, except where noted.
Recording
The Pop Underground, with the exception of "Synesthesia" B-Side, "Sister Golden Hair Surprise", recorded by Jim Wirt at Crushstone Studios, Cleveland, OH, was recorded by Tony Hoffer at The Hobby Shop in Highland Park and Sound Factory Studio B in Hollywood, with additional recording done by Mark Williams in his Brooklyn-based studio from late 2012 to early 2013.
The album was co-written by Williams and Andrew McMahon, with Williams taking part in pre-production and arrangement, with Hoffer producing and mixing the final EP.
The EP's electronic sound, McMahon told AOL Music, came from his working with Williams, with whom he wrote the EP's songs in-studio, a departure from McMahon's normal writing process, with allowed him access to elements not typically available to him whilst writing. "Learn To Dance" was the first song written for the album, and as such, states McMahon:
[it] in many ways it set the tone for the EP's subject matter, as well as our approach in the studio.
Release and Reception
As a preview for the EP, McMahon began performing select songs of his new material while on tour, promoting the track "Learn To Dance" on January 9, 2013 on a supporting run with fun. and premiering the EP's first single, "Synesthesia", on March 13, 2013 during the first show of his first headlining run.
"Synesthesia" was first made available for streaming by Under The Gun Review on March 31, 2013, and was officially released on April 2, 2013. On April 25, 2013, Billboard exclusively premiered "After The Fire" on their website. On April 26, 2013, AOL Music premiered "Learn To Dance" on their blog. Lastly, on April 29, 2013, Alternative Press premiered "Catching Cold".
On May 3, Under The Gun Review premiered the Synesthesia B-Side, "Sister Golden Hair", on the website.
The album was released on April 30, 2013, both digitally and physically. The physical release is notable, like its single, "Synesthesia", for only being physically on 10" vinyl.
The EP itself has received mixed to positive reviews, with reviewers often criticising it for its short, 15 minute running time, and noting the album's musical departure from McMahon's earlier work. It was, however, also almost unanimously praised for its upbeat, poppy sound. Confront Magazine gave the EP 4.75/5 stars. Modern Vinyl and The Stylus, however, both gave it 3.5/5 stars. Diffuser.fm gave the album 6/10. Lastly, Melodic and Sputnikmusic gave the album 3/5 stars.
Personnel
Songs
1Synesthesia"4:21
2Catching Cold"4:01
3Learn To Dance"3:17