Recommended tracks: “Proving Me Right” “Skygirl” “Cordelia”
Artists you might like: Sans Merit, Spacemoth, Maripool
If the French New Wave movement ushered in cinema with handheld cinematography, shooting on location, and improvisation, then Italian cinema gave birth to Giallo, murder-mystery thrillers with vibrant colour palettes and a killer soundtrack. However, Los Angeles-based artist Josh da Costa’s debut record New Wave Graveyard captures the sun-kissed California summers of the 90s.
“Skygirl” kicks off the momentum with fuzzy electric guitars oozing every droplet of summer, from the chord changes to da Costa’s echoing yet calm vocals as he sings about yearning for a crush, wanting to spend time together and make the most out of it.
“Proving Me Right” pays homage to 80s rock with hints of pop interludes, while “Cordelia” is a pop ballad and a love letter to a girl named Cordelia. The latter features da Costa’s silky vocals meshing with psychedelic sounds to create a hypnotic trance.
“Shireen” is a cocktail fusion of new-wave psychedelic surf-n’-turf meets 80s rock that will surely get you groovin’ on the dance floor at the beach. “Slip By” sounds eerily similar to the Knight Rider theme song from the opening few seconds. The track serves as a painful reminder of friends drifting away, emphasizing the importance of sticking with your loyal crew.
Ending the album is the techno-driven track “Beach In The Rain.” The first 38 seconds emulate a rich, neon fever dream of synthesizers harkening back to Miami Vice or Drive. It’s perfectly tailored to that specific main-character energy.
Josh da Costa’s debut record transports listeners into an alternate reality of 80s rock, psychedelic rock, and synth-pop that comes recommended when the occasion calls for main-character energy or traversing back in time to the 80s.
