Photos by Amanda Scott, Kat Dawson, Chrissy Bulakites, Jesse Dacri, Sarah Magyar Munro, Aviv Marotz. Final edit: Stacey Peck

Boston indie-pop band Air Traffic Controller are back with a new single called “Sometimes.” The new track is a whale of a song, that works on both micro and macro levels. Its refrain, “this is not a good time,” is about a relationship gone awry and coincidentally fits the zeitgeist of 2020. 

“Sometimes” was recorded mostly at Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plain until COVID-19 hit. Then it was finished at singer Dave Munro’s home with band member Steve Scott. The new setting worked marvelously as the room tone of Munro’s garage can be heard and creates a spacious ambience that makes the vocal pop against the instrumental backdrop.  

Dave Munro (left) gets ready to vocalize from the garage while Steve Scott (center) preps recording from the car

“Sometimes” stands out with its spare accompaniment, as it is more stripped down than many tunes in the Air Traffic Controller catalog. The single can be seen as a tonal continuation of the last track on Echo Papa, “It’s You,” in that the focus on the lead vocal is favored over big arrangements. 

“There was a time in the band where we wanted to see how big we could get things. This time, I think we’re kind of trying to focus on reaching the listener with a little more intent… and for me, that’s always been the vocal,” says Munro.

He says the album is slated for a 2021 release. “I want to wrap this record up. Doing it without getting together, it would be really tough but if we have to chip away at it separately, then so be it. We’re not just going to put it down and wait this thing out.”

Listen to the latest Air Traffic Controller single, “Sometimes,” below.