Earlier this year, I wrote about the Los Angeles-based duo Junaco, and the act — Shahanna Jaffer and Joey LaRosa — can trace their origins to the duo’s mutual desire to make music for music’s sake, and to write honest songs that meant something true for themselves — and that someone else may be able to make something true for them as well. Interestingly, instead of rushing through songs in an attempt to placate the attention-starved blogosphere, the duo have a developed a rather deliberate creative approach, which has resulted in a moody yet anthemic sound.
Now, as you may recall, Jaffer and LaRosa’s forthcoming Omar Yakar-produced is slated for release sometime last this year, and the EP’s first single was the lovelorn “Willow,” a track that sonically brought Caveman, Eliza Shaddad and even Fleetwood Mac to mind, as it was centered around a cinematic arrangement consisting of jangling guitar chords, Jaffer’s gorgeous and lilting vocals, jazz-like drumming within a expansive song structure. The EP’s second and latest single “In Between” will help to further cement the duo’s growing reputation for crafting gorgeous yet brooding indie rock that’s equally indebted to 70s AM rock and Mazzy Star, complete with a soaring hook. Interestingly, the track is a perfect vehicle for Jaffer’s achingly gorgeous vocals, which seem to float over the song’s twangy arrangement — and much like its predecessor, and expansive song structure. And at its core, is a bitter heartache that sounds lived-in and familiar.
