(Make Me A) TRISTE© Mixtape Episode 220: Prism Shores

Prism Shores are Montreal, Québec, janglers with one foot planted in ramshackle C86-indebted indie pop and the other in the shimmer of early English shoegaze. Their sound is reminiscent of perennial genre reference points (Sarah, Creation, Flying Nun) while leaving its own idiosyncratic stamp. Out From Underneath, out in January via Meritorio Records, is their second album (preceded by the EP Youth in Abstract out in 2019 and the debut Inside My Diving Bell, in 2022) and finds the band widening their sonic palette by combining live-to-tape performances with atmospheric overdubbing and studio experimentation, confidently settling into more ambitious textures and arrangements. Lyrically, the album tackles young adult ennui and the adjustment of settling in an unfamiliar city, detailing the growing pains experienced during a time of upheaval. It is contemplative and chock-full of emotional depth — a nighttime album that channels self-reflexive melancholy into some form of catharsis.

What They Say: “This is the song that came together first in the studio. In our eyes it was always a strong contender for a single; it probably best encapsulates the evolving aesthetic direction we take on the record. It straddles the line between the C86-style jangle pop of our first record and the more atmospheric shoegaze and dream pop textures we incorporate into Out From Underneath. This blend is best exemplified by the chorus, where Finn plays a fuzzed out gazey lead atop Ben’s chimey high-strung rickenbacker. Lyrically it’s a centerpiece as well, touching on the themes of uncertainty and listlessness that typify the album.“

“This is the most straight-ahead power pop track we’ve written. The idea was to make the track sound like Teenage Fanclub with MBV glide guitar. Turned out pretty close to that concept — I think it’s my favorite track on the album. Our drummer Luke plays the lead guitar riff on this one and Ben plays a ripping Kaplan-style solo at the end. It also has backing vocals from our friend KT Laine, one of her four contributions to the record. Lyrically, it’s about reckoning with unhealthy self-criticism and dependency on certain coping mechanisms”

“Southpaw was a lot of fun to put together in the studio. Lots of guitar layers on this one — it also features a prominent lead part played on the zither by our producer Andrew. The song is really a duet; Ben takes the lead vocal alongside our friend KT Laine. We wanted the blend of vocals to be reminiscent of something like Slowdive’s Souvlaki.”

Their Mixtape:

“For our mixtape, I asked each member to pick two songs they’ve had on rotation recently. We’re chipping away at a new record right now and I thought this might be a good way to document what’s inspiring us. Good mix of old and new stuff here. Variety of styles as well — we’re still definitely drawing from many of the same jangle and dream pop/shoegaze influences in the new material, but amps are definitely cranked up a bit so there’s a fuzzy college rock/power pop vibe mixed in there too” (Jack).

Jack’s picks:

The Wedding Present – Brassneck