February 20, 2022

The Reds, Pinks and Purples - "Slow Torture of an Hourly Wage"


Earlier this year, The Reds, Pinks and Purples released the wonderful new album Summer at Land's End and they're already back with a follow-up EP.

Glenn Donaldson is in a bit of a prolific run. Under his moniker of The Reds, Pinks and Purples, he's released four albums in four years, with the most recent arriving only last month. Along the way, he's released a smattering on non-albums singles as well and this weekend he returns with a three song EP. Per usual, the tracks capture the bright, meditative guitar-pop we've grown accustomed to hearing from Donaldson with all of these frequent releases and these tracks are just as sunny as any of his most recent output. Sheets of guitar hit like tender shoegaze moments over his otherwise blissful, pastel tones that offer up a warm, cozy feeling that is as inviting as the kitchen-pop style would suggest, or as his Bandcamp reads, it's "the echo pop of twilight." His vocals billow like a breeze, easing from his mouth with such delight and his delivery as consistent as his output. Harmonica finds its way through the acoustic guitar haze as well, giving more pop textures to the title track as steady drumming holds the beat. Fuzzing organ and keys give the songs some added weight and again give a richness to the texture that bristles with a slight buzz giving it more dream-like qualities and underlying themes that tie each track together. "We're starting over again" he croons on the last track, but really there is no need. Donaldson has hit a stride of creating brief, wonderful tunes that will remarkably always fit a pattern and provide a sense of charm and ease. The most comfortable groove that wraps you like a blanket as you stare off into the perfect blue sky on an epic stretch of grass.

"Slow Torture of an Hourly Wage" is out now.

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