The Tabloids releases debut album

Hailing from the sun-drenched streets of San Diego, The Tabloids is the solo venture of an artist deeply entrenched in the haze of neo-psychedelia and vintage sonics. First unveiling the project back in 2020 with the debut EP Iconoclastic, the project arrived as a swirling homage to influences like Brian Jonestown Massacre and Spacemen 3, as well as the timeless textures of ’60s rock. With fuzz-laced guitars, hypnotic rhythms and a strong DIY ethos, The Tabloids emerged with a sound that felt nostalgic and new all at once.

Following a hiatus from sharing his sound, last year he returned with new material, releasing the single “The Ballad of Danny Boy,” the sophomore EP, On The Run as well as further singles. Now The Tabloids is back with the project’s first full-length release, bringing us the debut album titled If Not Now, When?.

Featuring nine songs that were entirely self-produced and recorded at home, If Not Now, When? takes the perfect snapshot of The Tabloids’ musical vision. Kicked off by the LP’s lead single “All Around You,” the album starts with the smokey twirl of drifting leads as the laid back rhythm of guitar strums, lilting percussive sway and airy vocalisations combine to craft a mellow psych rock scene. With misty vocal leads gliding above and the twang of guitar notes adding melodic dashes, the track folds modern Britpop style writing into a retro sonic fabric to craft an engaging and thoroughly original soundscape.

“Fly” follows with the contrast of fuzzy feedback textures and the delicate sustain of a chord before the track slips into a mesmeric groove of elegant lead plucks and gentle rhythm. Flowing with memorable melodic vocal lines and the splashy of building drums, it’s the perfect display of The Tabloids musical output that distils enduring songwriting into a listening experience that’s at once intimate and spacey.

With “Gravity,” he lays down a subtly upbeat jam of bouncy drum shuffles and a smooth guitar backing of soft chords and warbling lead tones. With alluring vocal lines hovering above the enveloping arrangement, he stitches catchy melodic threads carrying poignant, storytelling lyricism into the track.

Other highlights include songs like “Ultraviolet” with its absorbing atmosphere which wraps the dusty patter of drums and layers of bass, guitar rhythms and leads in a smouldering aesthetic as The Tabloids’ soothing vocal leads float above. “Fade to Black” brings a subdued energy tinged with a subtly anthemic vibe where reverb-drenched vocals gently blossom above the easygoing arrangement of guitar rhythms and swelling notes.

Closing the record with “Sight Unseen,” an intricate yet lively groove rises to serve up a charming, fuzz-inflected psych rock outing which concludes the album with an epic finale. From start to finish, on If Not Now, When?, The Tabloids delivers an enjoyable and entirely unique sound that puts his songwriting talent and DIY production panache on full display, resulting in a superb album that’s sure to impress both new and existing listeners alike.

Listen to If Not Now, When? below