You all should know by now how much we like Foxygen. Their drummer Shaun Fleming – who has recently relocated to NYC from LA but keeps a foot in both shoes – has just released a preview single from upcoming album "My Friend Fish," which he wrote and recorded in his (shared) Manhattan flat after moving in earlier this year.
We never know what to expect from side projects, but in this case we can say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, which is something Shaun should take as a huge compliment. "Hymn" (streaming below) is a soft waltz borrowed from the early 60s and mischievously screwed up with occasional missing beats, psychedelic breaks, and a radical change at minute 2, when it suddenly becomes some kind of tense rock’n’roller a la’ Helter Skelter. What stands out most of all though are Shaun’s vocals, which – as far as character goes – rival Foxygen Sam France’s ones. That’s good news folks, because singers able to be bold in a cool way are getting rare these days.
Diane Coffee is a promising act, and hopefully Shaun will find the time to grow it into a full fledged band – Diane Coffee so far performed live once in Brooklyn in June.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!