White Fence “Orange” Review
Written by Beau Croxton
Orange album cover— released 4/24 on Drag City records.
White Fence’s first new LP in 7 years, Orange, is a vibrant, consistent and cohesive return with plenty of great power-pop and garage rock.
On April 24th, Tim Presley returned with the first White Fence album in 7 years, Orange. The album was produced by his friend and collaborator Ty Segall at Harmonizer studios, and it's definitely worth the excitement. Orange thrives with a West Coast, sun-drenched vibe that carries some excellent, dry guitar tones and that drum up nostalgia for The Byrds, Tom Petty, Television among others. It’s also a timely Spring album, as its vibes carry the cheerful and forward-facing attitude of the season. With its paisley 60s power-pop, shimmering 12-string guitar tones and oddball garage rock, White Fence’s return is a very welcome one when the songs are this vibey, catchy and consistent.
Opener “That's Where The Money Goes (Seen From The Celestial Realm)” rides in with a perfectly pleasant, warm, jangley power-pop vibe; it really sets the tone and lets the sunshine in. “I Came Close, Orange For Luck” is another major highlight with retro-twang guitar tones and psych delay vocals. Perhaps the most irresistible is the lead single “Your Eyes”, which exudes a very Kinks/Buzzcocks charm to it. Simply put, the song is championed by great power-pop/garage rock songwriting– there’s no need to overcomplicate it.
While “Given Up My Heart” continues the streak of uptempo garage gems, “Unread Books” finds power in restraint, vibey keys and a slower BPM, which breaks up the speedy pace of the catchy power pop that precedes it. It finds its way into a lovely hypnosis and has some great twinkling guitar harmonies towards the end. It's a zoom-out moment that recalls mellow Velvet underground material, or a more low-key gem from his buddy Ty Segall. “Evaporating Love” follows its namesake detailing the moment when you recognize a fading love, but its upbeat cheer and 12 string makes it feel like a euphoric realization.
“I Wanted a Rolex” stands out with some tastefully warped guitar leads and interesting changes, which make it a more interesting experiment in contrast to the regular formula of the record. “Called your bluff and rode naked on a horse through the city” is not necessarily an everyday opening line either– the record is littered with odd references, metaphors and unique lyrics to unpack.
“So Beautiful" is a deceptively tender and pretty tune that holds contempt under the surface over a complicated romantic relationship. It sounds very love-struck despite some of the bitter lyrics– proving its emotions to be just as complex as they are intriguing. “Blind Your Sun” does a great job closing the record with its jangly, angular guitars and funky drums. It’s a driving cut and an excellent high point as a final destination for the record.
While White Fence’s Orange doesn’t veer too far from its jangly power-pop-rock vibe, and many songs are quite similar— the core sound is pretty fantastic and cohesive, and it’s explored successfully in a very consistent way. If you're looking for variety, you might find it a bit “samey”, but if you're a fan of the garage power-pop sound, White Fence, or the extended network of Ty Segall’s musical peers– this record is definitely a big win. It’s great to have a very solid new White Fence record to spin after a long gap, and if you love one track on Orange, you’ll definitely love the whole ride.
Occult Highlights: Your Eyes, Evaporating Love , I Came Close, Orange For Luck,
I Want A Rolex, Given Up My Heart, That’s Where the Money Goes (Seen from the Celestial Realm)
(…but we recommend you listen in full while walking around the park a warm spring day)
7.0/10
SUPPORT OCCULT MAGAZINE
Hello reader and thanks for your support!
Occult Magazine is currently an independent & ad-free music publication. We rely on the passion and volunteered hard work of our generous contributors in order to deliver our best to you on your favorite music.
If you enjoy what we are doing—
Please consider donating HERE or HERE if possible!
Thank you!