A billion little lights

One of the year's best albums and some spring suggestions this week

If the headline caught your attention right away, you’re in good company. That’s because “A Billion Little Lights” is the title of one of my favorite albums this year, the really excellent third record from New York’s Wild Pink. I’ve talked about the album here in this newsletter, and I’ve talked about the band itself again in this newsletter, and to make a long story short: I’m recommending you listen to this album to ease on into the rest of your work week with some shimmering, carefully composed indie rock at the forefront (the song coming up is — spoiler — “The Shining But Tropical,” and it’s a gem). As with other editions of The Style Guide In Brief (I send it out twice a week, and it’s free!), you’ll get some cool menswear, gear and craft beer to go along with what I hope is one of your new favorite records. Oh, and on that note: I’ve got an exciting bit of writing news related to, well, the band in this newsletter today. Keep it tuned here for more, but this track is a worthwhile listen in the meantime.

And because I’m in sunny Florida, it’s the ideal sort of way to ease on into a busy (yet oddly relaxed?) day of writing, kind of like the Local Natives track I talked about this past weekend. As a reminder, you can hit Subscribe above, you should certainly tell all your friends and fellow indie rock fans, and you can view the rest of my work, portfolio included, here at this link. Cheers and here’s to Tuesday.

What To Listen To This Week: “The Shining But Tropical” By Wild Pink

Over the past few years, there are a few bands, but not all that many, that have risen to the forefront of my listening habits, and Wild Pink is among them. The band took a big leap forward on this third record, with deeper and more delicate instrumentation (lead singer John Ross normally recorded parts for each record himself), and with unique flourishes like pedal steel and more showing up here. The drumming is excellent, this song is just a lovely listen and better still, it conjures up a sense of forward movement, with shimmering guitar atop cascading drums. Plus, you get a neat shoutout to the album’s title, and this track rolls nicely into its follow-up, “Amalfi” (you just have to listen to hear it yourself!). To sum it up succinctly: It’s an excellent song, one that I’ve been playing on repeat this week. It goes well with a few other picks to welcome spring, I might add (keep on scrolling).

What To Shop This Week: Rhythm Aloha Tiger Short-Sleeve Shirt

In a similar vein to today’s “tropical,” bright and sunny track and album, how’s this stylish short-sleeve shirt to help you get into the spirit of spring and summer? The Rhythm Aloha Tiger Short-Sleeve Shirt pairs an on-trend camp collar design with an easygoing fit, a subtle pattern and the kind of laidback cool that just demands to be worn at a summer BBQ. Of course, the soundtrack for said gathering is easy (that’s Wild Pink), and if you want to have a little fun on that next Zoom call or happy hour, this shirt is the proper way to go about it. As to what you’re sipping on during said happy hour or at that cookout, you know where to find it (below!)

What To Sip This Week: Island Coastal Lager

OK, here’s a fun and fittingly Florida-inspired beverage of choice this week. The sun and the sand has given me ample opportunity to sip on some light, refreshing beers while spinning the new Wild Pink album (and writing for sites like Maxim, of course). And believe it or not, Island Coastal Lager — here’s a great overview of them at Good Beer Hunting —was a brand-new beer for me, and I’m sure glad I cracked open a can. It’s a no-fuss light lager that’s easy-drinking, crisp and flavorful, a step above standard light beers and a very welcome one, at that. Cheers to your Tuesday happy hour later, folks.

The Final Pick: Rhodes Footwear Winslow Boots

Now, these boots aren’t exactly a Florida-approved style pick, but these rugged workwear-inspired boots from Huckberry really are too good to pass up. As I say on here time and time again, I’m always looking for versatile, stylish picks to take me through my days in Brooklyn, often culminating in a concert by the likes of Wild Pink (here’s hoping it happens this year!). And even in the warmer spring and summer months, I have a feeling I can certainly rely on the rugged build yet lightweight design of the cool-as-can-be Rhodes Footwear Winslow Boots.

If you’re new to the Wild Pink fan club (an honorary fan club, of sorts) after today’s newsletter, then that’s great news. If not, well, maybe scroll back up and listen again?? I kid, I kid. I do hope you’ll join me in adding the excellent Rhodes Footwear Winslow Boots to your post-pandemic style wish list, and the great news is that in the meantime, you can crack open a new favorite beer: Island Coastal Lager . That’s what I’ll be doing later today, and the rest of this week in Florida. To get even more menswear and gear, you can always swing by my daily style blog. Once again: Cheers and thanks for reading!