In Your Glass World
It’s surely not lost on me that the calendar has, inexplicably, circled back around to March, to one year of the pandemic and plenty other sad and heartbreaking milestones. I try to keep The Style Guide In Brief riding forward on a positive wave, but we’re a year into a crisis that’s left plenty of us looking out at the world from our homes rather than being out in the world (the list goes on).
It seems to me that each day, we get closer to having some of those feelings reflected and verbalized by art and culture (in ways good and bad, and in ways that hit a little too close to home). Take today’s featured track, “Blue Sunday” by Michigan and Ohio rockers Citizen. The band itself has said they elude definition — they sound alt radio-friendly at times but also have a devout following in what you might call the emo or hardcore world — and the song itself also eludes definition. Lead singer Mat Kerekes told Stereogum this track is about, well, never wanting to leave his house, and the isolation that comes with those feelings. I told you it would hit close to home, ehh? But the ideal thing is, there are always artists out there trying to put into words what we’re feeling. That being said, there’s hope on the horizon and better days ahead. Think of it like this — on the positive side, that is: There’s a new track waiting to be discovered, a few new shopping picks to get your Tuesday going, and new plans to make for the days ahead in today’s newsletter.
What To Listen To This Week: “Blue Sunday” By Citizen
The first thing that gripped me about “Blue Sunday” by Citizen, other than the snappy, New Order-esque name, is how this track fits our times so well — not to mention how urgent and powerful I imagine it would sound live. We’ll have to make do with the band’s forthcoming album on Run For Cover Records in the meantime. In fact, when I’m listening to a new song for the first time, the chance to hear it live is one of the things that pops into my head right away (for better or, in these times, for worse). Consider me a bit of a newfound fan of Citizen, who’ve built up a substantial Instagram following across more than a decade of music releases and touring. Oh, and another thing about this track: It’s already drawing comparisons to the late ‘00s and early 2010s sound of bands like Cold War Kids (as featured in this newsletter), and that’s never a bad thing in my book. If that sounds like it’s up your alley, give this track a listen and let me know your take in the comments below.
What To Shop This Week: Jack Erwin Chambers Chelsea Boots
In the spirit of high-powered rock music that calls to mind a Brooklyn rock show, how about some rough-and-tumble new Chelsea boots from Jack Erwin, ehh? These boots are about as sleek and streamlined as it gets for battling spring rains in style, with a super-flexible sole and a wrap-around elastic gore for super-easy on-and-off action. Pair them with black workwear trousers or grey denim for style on the go. Of course, these are the kind of stylish Chelsea boots I’d look forward to wearing for hours on end, preferably throughout a day in Brooklyn and a weekend evening rock show. And the flexible sole of these durable spring rain boots was designed in partnership with a Paris creative agency, so perhaps you should keep these boots on hand when its’s finally time to jetset abroad again for a music festival (someday)? They’ve got my ringing endorsement this week, that much I know.
Shop Jack Erwin
What To Sip This Week: Don Pablo Bourbon-Infused Coffee
Now normally, my pick for what to sip for the week ahead leans towards craft beer and whiskey. The thing is, you’re likely spending more time working in front of a computer these days than you are kicked back on the porch with a cocktail, right? Times, they are busy — and you need some delicious, rejuvenating and innovative coffee to help you power through. Let me introduce you to Don Pablo Bourbon-Infused Coffee — consider it a major upgrade for your morning pick-me-up, and consider it the sort of shot in the arm to help you get through most anything this week. This premium coffee features beans soaked in, yes, American bourbon. How cool is that? And if you want to consider it merely a holdover until you can enjoy real bourbon for happy hour? Sure, that works as well! Your soundtrack and your morning sipper are all set, folks.
The Final Pick: Levi’s 512 Slim Taper Fit Jeans
I mentioned earlier that you could wear your durable spring rain boots with black workwear trousers or grey denim — well, meet these classic Levi’s jeans, a favorite of up-and-coming and established indie rockers and fans everywhere. These slim faded grey jeans (think slightly slimmer than Levi’s 511 Jeans) are distinctive and sharp, made to be paired with an indigo denim jacket and a classic henley on blustery spring days. The kicker here is the tapered leg, designed to show off your shoes and inspired by tailored trousers. Sounds like a reliably rock n’roll-ready pair of jeans to me — how about you?
How complete is your weekly shopping and listening to-do list now? Hopefully, you’ve considered adding some Chelsea boots from Jack Erwin to your shopping list — they’ll help you take on spring rain. A pair of classic Levi’s jeans will help you take on the day in style. And Don Pablo Bourbon-Infused Coffee will help you stay awake through it all. And yes, “Blue Sunday” By Citizen is ideally going to provide a thoughtful soundtrack to give your work some pep this week. We’ll be back on Saturday, so join me then (and tell all your friends!).