ok [CD]
In 2013, Blue Smiley officially formed in Brian Nowell and John Slavins rodent-infested North Philadelphia apartment. With Nowell primarily composing from the hammock he used as a bed, Blue Smiley created three short recordings within a year, featuring drummers Gracie Clements, Tim McMonigle, and Joe Veltri. Matt McGraw, drummer and childhood friend of Slavins, later joined the group to galvanize a sound that helped define Philadelphia indie rock of the 2010s.Blue Smileys first professionally recorded album ok released in 2015, featuring dystopian noise-pop compositions with fuzzy effects, unique for its focus on groove and precipitous tempo changes. Slavin then relocated to Austin, TX while close friend and bassist Michael Corso joined Nowell for the next iteration of the group.True to the Blue Smiley ethos, their next full-length return soon followed, replete with snappy, short songs that waste no time getting to the point. On return, Nowells hushed vocals settle deeper into the band