A Deli Premiere: Toebow’s art-pop debut EP “Spirit Mane”

The members of Toebow have been simmering around the city’s music scene for a while now, you might recognize some of them from projects like Zula and BOBBY, but Spirit Mane is the first release to come from the band. The EP’s four tracks are doused in kaleidoscopic arrangements and ethereal sounds, like a dream pop interpretation of the experimental musings of groups like Tortoise, Stereolab, or King Crimson—but the pop in dream pop is important here. While opening track “I’ll Be Gone” leans into jazz-inflicted chord progressions, “Starfucker” delivers heady electro energy, “Belong” swirls in odd-shaped melodies, and the title track closes with a slow-moving cloud of other-worldly effects, the band never shies away from the pop end of the spectrum. Spirit Mane introduces Toebow as a group keen on invention yet willing to bridge the gap between music that is arty and music that is accessible. The EP is out tomorrow, but you can stream it in its entirety below. Catch the band April 7th celebrating the release at Trans-Pecos alongside Balún and Floam. – Cameron Carr