by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
It’s been a few years since we last heard from The Deals and it seems a lot has changed. The Chicago collective, led by Joe Suihkonen (vocals, guitar), first emerged at the turn of the decade as a fuzzy power-pop band, with songs rooted in hooks and sugary noise pop charm. The band - comprised of Suihkonen, Emerson Hunton (drums), Aaron O'Neill (bass), Margaret McCarthy (vocals), and Josh Harlow (synth) - have spent the past few years busy in their local scene, playing in bands that include Moontype, Patter, Joey Nebulous, and Red PK among others, but they’re all returning to fold for The Deals’ first new music in three years. While Clear And Severe was markedly peppy and full of twangy melodies, “Freeway” would seem to mark a new chapter in the band’s sound.
Their latest single trades the sharp energy of their past work for a more laconic feel as The Deals dig deep into slowcore textures. “Freeway” is a patient shoegaze song, slow dripped and sweetened by Suihkonen and McCarthy’s gorgeous vocal harmonies. With a tidal wave of textured guitar and the atmospheric dirge of drawn out progressions, the band mosey into a soaring density, pulling apart the seams as they work from soft hum to full on encompassing buzz. It’s a major shift in their sound, but one that feels comfortable, as members of The Deals have cut their teeth in such a wide variety of music over the years. The video, directed and edited by Alex Leeds blends grainy yet scenic performance footage and a pup chasing a remote control car… which all feels very appropriate, the visuals matching the song’s hazy tonality.
The band will celebrate the single’s release with a free show on Monday, March 18th at The Empty Bottle in Chicago, with support from Sprite and Morpho.