Cutouts debut album ‘Baby Blue Suede,’ play Mercury on 7.28

One of the most surprising aspects of Brooklyn band Cutouts’ debut album Baby Blue Suede is that the title originates from a poem about a Billy Joel song. The crooning of Cutouts is a far leap away from the pop legend provocative pop-rock, but in a weird way, it makes sense for this band. Their thematic goal on this album was to foray into the complex and unpredictable — and they do this well, over a psychedelic soundscape of guitar loops, distortions, and even a refreshing violin part. Their use of characters in songs like “Nina” and “Baby Blue Suede & the Dangerous Three” shows their narrative capacity as artists, as well as their ingenuity. Cutouts are definitely a band to watch in the Brooklyn scene, and they will be at the Mercury Lounge on July 28th. – Lilly Milman

Watch the video for our favorite track “Phone Sex” below.