Pocket Fantasy by Mamalarky | Album Review

Observations. An innocence exists in their simplicity and truthfulness. They ground our otherwise aloft minds, which have more of a tendency to wander into preoccupation than our other senses; they also aid in creating memories, sparking emotion and imagination in the present around us.

Casio

Grassy knoll

Walkie-talkie

Crescent moon aglow

What do these things mean to you, how do you feel when you read these words? While I’m sure it wasn’t indie rock band, Mamalarky’s intent for these lyrics to be taken out of their song’s context, they provide an adequate example to illustrate the usual-and-slightly-reaching-off-topic point I am making, on the reasserting ability of everyday observations. To some, these lyrics off track “Frog 2” — from the Austin, Texas-based band’s sophomore album Pocket Fantasy — may mean nothing, just humdrum gibberish. To the next worthy listener, they may be relatable everyday things, something they’ve seen recently or not, something they have a vague knowledge of, allowing their imagination to fill in the gaps. To Mamalarky, who’s to say what these spritely statements “mean” to them. I doubt that’s what they’d wish for us to be puzzling over. For the song’s purpose, they are interludes for thoughts, breaks in the sadness, laughter, experiences, love, and self-doubts of life felt by the band, shared by the listeners.

The band was officially formed under the name Mamalarky in 2016, although members were playing together long beforehand. Livvy Bennett provides vocals and guitar, Dylan Hill the drums, Michael Hunter works the keyboard while bassist Noor Khan joined the group in 2018. Following the release of their intimate 13-minute EP Fundamental Thrive Hive, Mamalarky put out their debut self-titled album with indie record label Fire Talk. A record that finds their diverse instrumental sound folded onto an overall fuzzy feeling of sincerity, taking you up and over grassy knolls of fast and slow psych pop. Nearly two years later with touring under their belt, Pocket Fantasy arrives lint-free and via the band’s usual good-humored sound. A self-recorded album from a distinctly talented group.

The album cover displays an odd assortment of curios and carrots, spoils perhaps from a trip to the beach or the contents of a childhood shell collection. Maybe it’s a scene from a lost Scholastic I SPY book. Regardless, it feels an appropriate emblem for this record of assembled thoughts, synthy rippings (e.g. “July”) and scavenged observations. Each item has a sense of belonging, allowing our attention to be grabbed by something new on subsequent listens.

Complimented by their infectious energy and the band’s natural chemistry, we gain this feeling of truthfulness from the tender storytelling throughout Pocket Fantasy. Honesty in messaging is not achieved at any meager price though, as Bennett pointedly marks “I always struggle to open myself to strangers, who assume what I am like,” on aforementioned track “Frog 2.” Just as opening up to someone completely requires trust, Mamalarky places their trust and respect in us, the mythical audience, to share these feelings, stories, emotions. No less a feat than an appreciative reminder that musicians live through the same uncertain existence as us. What initial impressions we may draw based upon pixelated icons online or chance glances in passing are dispelled at once when one’s humanity is noticed and acknowledged. It allows for a humbling perspective to come forth in our listening of Pocket Fantasy, so that the messages we perceive in this otherwise already catchy album may have some meaning regardless of your standing with life.