Andrew Schneider – Hideaway (2023)
Inspired by the likes of Joe Jackson, Talking Heads and David Bowie, multi-instrumentalist Andrew Schneider refuses to be defined by a single sound. From chamber pop to post-punk, art-rock, psychedelia and more, the Chicago-based musician is an eclectic ball of kaleidoscopic sound. This is my introduction to Schneider, but he is already reaching audiences beyond his North American borders including coverage from the UK’s iHeart Radio Station and many more. Come with us as we delve into his obscure, experimental and intriguing music.
Following his six-track EP, The Nearest Parallel, ‘Hideaway’ is not only Schneider’s first release in 2023 but his first release since 2018. Re-emerging from a five-year absence (at least according to Spotify), ‘Hideaway’ draws inspiration from post-punk and synth-pop. The thing is, just as I mentioned he is quite undefinable, he proves this eclecticism in the new single.
Just as an ethereal dreaminess floats through the melody, Latin-inspired percussion clinks away in the background with a heavier rock flavour woven into the track. Interestingly, while there is a contemporary element to ‘Hideaway’, the warmth of this rock meets jazz meets pop song is filled with vintage 60s/70s nostalgia.
While the single is toe-tapping with a warm intimacy, ‘Hideaway’ has a darker side when it comes to the theme. Schneider explains that “the first draft of ‘Hideaway’ was written at the height of Covid as a response to the increasingly unhinged demands to re-open restaurants, gyms and other services in the middle of a pandemic. Beyond entitlement and narcissism, these attitudes appeared driven by a transactional worldview: the mere ability to spend money would obligate full and enthusiastic service until the last dollar is gone…”.
For more from Andrew Schneider, check out his Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
