Glamorous 80s-inspired indie pop is the designer flashback that many artists are pulling out of the closet these days. Followers of the otherworldly alt-rock might want to check out “King Of Books” by The Rungs. It’s a dreamy indie track sewn together with reverberated melodies. The Rungs are just a sliver of an indie movement that’s still beginning to bud.
Mandy, Steven, and Diwas are The Rungs. The Brooklyn-based alternative pop group is coasting off the recent release of their EP, Everyday Visions. “Trees” received great acclaim for its great instrumental uniqueness. Layered guitar and synth work is part of what makes The Rungs a noteworthy trio.
Imagine yourself jogging to the steady rhythm of a treadmill powered by neon cassette spools. The Rungs belong to a class of independent artists that are proficient at building on styles from the past, tastefully. One one hand, they build upon the audible profile of the same airy mixes that were produced in the early 80s. Consequently, it lands a little too close to the mark. The style is being regurgitated more often as time scurries by, but we still really dig it. The Rungs still manage to assert their own persona in the mix, which is what every artist should strive for, more or less.
Mandy’s voice really sets the mood. Her eloquent vocals deliver a barrage of honest lyrics. The space in between is full of toyish instrumentation to satisfy any synth junkie.
“King Of Books” is a brutal confrontation with an ongoing struggle. In one way or another, we’ve all experienced some sort of romantic dream that turned out to be a pipe bomb resting at the pit of our stomachs. Post-detonation, we find ourselves picking out the shrapnel. Personally, that’s the aftertaste I got from “King Of Books”. The first two lines say it all:
I wasn’t ready for the day you swept me off my feet
Another hide I couldn’t see, you’re no good for me
and…
I swear I thought you were the one
Take a listen for yourself and visit www.therungsband.com to check out their other releases!
