Turtlenecked

Turtlenecked sounds like the inside of a very busy, slightly anxious mind that happens to be obsessed with perfect pop melodies. It is a collision of jagged post-punk edges and the sugary, soaring hooks of classic power pop, all filtered through a home-recorded aesthetic that feels both intimate and overwhelming. The guitars are often thin and brittle, cutting through the mix with a nervous energy that keeps the listener on edge.

What makes Harrison Patrick Smith's project distinctive is the sheer density of the arrangements. Despite being a solo bedroom project, the tracks are packed with rapid-fire lyrical observations, sudden tempo shifts, and layers of synth and percussion that shouldn't fit together but somehow do. There is a theatricality to the vocals, moving from a bored drawl to an urgent shout, capturing a specific kind of millennial malaise that is both self-aware and deeply sincere.

Start with 'Vulture' if you want to hear the project at its most visceral and punk-influenced, or 'High Scores of the Heart' for a more polished, melodic entry point. It is music for people who like their pop songs to have a high heart rate and a bit of a mean streak.