2021 has already proven to be a kicker, but Boston-based indie group Orson & the Rosebuds are here to provide a dose of serotonin. Much like their legendary namesake, the band got their start after a theatrical production – in this case American Idiot. Roommates Christian DeKnatel (vocals/guitar/keys), Olivia Orth (bass) and Nick Smith (drums) met Tessa Berliner (vocals/guitar) after a production of the Green Day musical, and Orson & the Rosebuds was birthed. Longtime friend Miles Ragan was later recruited on keys for the live band after the release of their debut album, Friends of Friends, and has stayed on as a full-time member.  Friends of Friends was influenced heavily by the collaborative albums that Gorillaz have been dishing out, and featured guest spots from many local artists, most notably Sidney Gish. The follow-up, however, is an almost strictly in-house affair that showcases how well the band works as a unit. They prove no gimmicks are needed for their brand of bright pop-rock. Their second album When Up Is Down is out today and we are delighted to be hosting the exclusive premiere!

When Up Is Down is a musical delight. The album harkens back to the days of mid-2000s indie with its bouncy, quick music and uplifting lyrics. “Eleanora May” sounds like a throwback to the era of Cults and Givers with a catchy full-band rhythm and bell heavy percussion. “Trouble Trouble!” showcases a funkier side, while “Words We Don’t Need” has the slightest of island vibes and “Favorite Color” feels reminiscent of a great American songbook entry. But rather than feel like rip-offs of bygone eras, these songs feel fresh and comfortable in their mashing of influences. What the Rosebuds are able to craft across When Up Is Down is a shimmering collection of pop-rock that eases the listener in with eclectic, popping rhythms that give way to subtle complexities. The album is musically cohesive, as each of the ten songs are peppered with enough detail to stay unique from the rest of the bunch.

The album is also reminiscent of a former indie era with the deployment of dual-branded male and female vocalists. The vocals do play a key role in these songs – Berliner shines on “Trouble Trouble!” and “Words We Don’t Need,” where DeKnatel has his big moments on “Eleanora May” and “EchoState.” Most of the album’s songs have a distinct lead, but they are often backing up one another, which is most effectively showcased on opener “Little Late for Early.” The song starts off with a jangly and immediately infectious guitar rhythm, which sets the tone for the album that follows. It’s a fun and pure-hearted song that acts as the break of dawn across a sunny album. Rapper Joe Sung-Rae drops in for the penultimate song “YaMeanIt,” which also provides a burst of energy and freshness before the album’s finale.

The lyrics of the album match this sunny sentiment, with across-the-board optimism and joyous odes to sincerity. This was by design, as the album’s concept is that of finding the strength of optimism in an increasingly bleak hellscape of global warming and corruption. It’s the kind of uplift we need after the cacophonous year that has just passed. But the words and emotions never feel forced; the optimism comes from a place of sincerity, one that genuinely wants all listeners to take a few minutes to dance and enjoy the fine things in our lives. The album’s title mimics the feeling of confusion and frustration we feel day-to-day. But it also supplies the lyric “When up is down I still want you around” in the title track and closer, a largely acoustic and patient love song that’s arguably the best on the album. The lyrics across the album are often simple microdoses of love and hope that use their directness to great effect. There is only so much time for hope, and the Rosebuds deliver it in quick bursts. When Up Is Down is ten joyous earworms of endlessly hopeful pop-rock, begging you to put on a pair of headphones and disappear out of the current state of the world. And you owe it yourself to do just that. 

The album is out today, and can be streamed and purchased through Bandcamp and other streaming services: