With this one titled “TV Screen”, Aaron Kessinger, the brain behind Kess, has produced an astounding psychedelic pop record that seemingly exists in the space between both, late 80s nostalgia and present day. Right from the start, the embrace of being wrapped up in fog sets in, as woodwind-like and vocal-like lines come in and meet high melodic lines.Yet, under all that fuzzy synths there is a message of being lost in technology and a search for the human experience that is a bit like a Odyssey. As the track unfolds, playful guitar stabs and ethereal vocal harmonies come to complement the ethereal and otherworldly identity.
What really tip the scale about “TV Screen” though is Kessinger’s brilliant way to place the track into the contemporary yet anchored firmly in the psych-pop of the 60s. It’s rare artistry this tricky Chapman grad does, and it’s the reason why Kess has to stand as the He-Man/She-Ra of dreamscape indie rock.Given that “TV Screen” is just a prelude to Kess’ upcoming album named, “Birthday Party,” there is no doubt that Aaron Kessinger has stumbled onto something magical – some signifier that says, Come on in and disappear a bit.
